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Pointers  on  the  H^^se 

INCLUDING 

BREEDINQ.  RAISING,  TRAININQ.  FEET,  FEED, 
STABLING,  DISEASES,  ETC. 

CONTAININQ 

VALUABLE  INFORMATION  FROM  EXPERIENCED 

AUTHORITIES  THROUGHOUT  THE 

WORLD 

PUBLISHED  BY 

Pratt  Food  Company 

Manufacturers   of 

PRATTS  FOODS 

Th«  Greatest  Animal  and  Poultry  Regulators 
and  Veterinary  Remedies 

PHILADELPHIA,  U.  S.  A. 

CHICAGO,  U.  S.  A.  TORONTO,  CANADA 

SAN  FRANCISCO.  CAL.         DUNEDIN,  NEW  ZEALAND 

LONDON,  BNQLAND  CAPE  TOWN,  AFRICA 


COPYHIGHT  1905 

Pratt  Food  CoMPAm? 


PART  I 


PRATTS   POINTERS 

ON  THE 

HORSE 


CHAPTER    I. 

We  will  first  treat  on  the  horse  and  its  habits,  color, 
paces,  coat,  mane,  tail,  etc. 

The  reader  will  find  this  a  practical  book  for  practi- 
cal people  ;  and  arranged  in  a  condensed,  up-to-date 
form.  The  index  in  the  back  of  the  book  is  so  com- 
plete that  any  desired  information  can  be  found  at  a 
glance. 

There  has  been  so  much  written  and  said  about  the 
care  of  horses,  that  many  readers  find  most  articles  on 
this  subject  have  occupied  their  time  with  the  result  of 
only  confusing  them,  instead  of  gaining  the  desired 
information. 

Judgment  in  purchasing,  combined  with  a  good 
stable,  regular,  systematic  feeding  and  thoughtfulness  in 
driving  or  working,    makes  the  keeping  of  horses  a 


6  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSB 

pleasure,  as  well  as  a  source  of  profit,  instead  of  a  loss 
and  worry. 


THE  HORSE 
AND  ITS  HABITS 


The  origin  of  horses  is  unknown  ;  but 
they  were  used  in  Egypt  over  fifteen 
hundred  years  before  Christ ;  and  they 
have  ever  been  the  great  helper  of  mankind,  both  in 
war  and  in  peace. 

Their  natural  food  throughout  the  world  is  grass 
and  grain,  either  in  a  fresh  or  dried  state,  and  their 
natural  paces  the  walk  and  the  gallop;  all  others  are 
the  result  of  training. 

Wild  horses  are  still  found  in  certain  parts  of  the 
globe.  In  the  wild  state  they  depend  in  flight  for  safety  ; 
but  if  compelled  to  fight  use  their  feet  and  teeth  eflfect- 
ively. 

Horses  fully  mature  when  five  years  old  ;  and  the 
average  age  of  living  is  from 
twenty-five  to  thirty  years. 

All  horses,  especially  thor- 
oughbreds, are  capable  of  being 
educated  to  a  wonderful  de- 
gree ;  and  the  intelligence  of 
highly  sensitive  animals  is 
marvelous.  educat«d. 


PRATTS  FOINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


POINTS  OP 

TttE 

HORSe 


The  proportions  of  horses  vary  in  the 
diflferent  breeds  ;  but  all  breeds  should 
have  certain  good  features,  such  as  large 


hocks  and  knees,  open  jaws  and  full  nostrils. 


Knee, 
Ca&ooiii  or  Shank. 


oint  9f  Hock. 
"Hock. 


targe  Pastenv 


POINTS  OF  THK  HORSS. 


In  purchasing,  always  buy  that  breed  whicn  is  the 
most  suitable  for  the  work  to  be  performed.     This  is  a 


8 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


fundajnental  rule  and  should  always  be  adhered  to.     It 
is  simply  folly  to  buy  a  light  carriage  horse  for  heavy 


THOROUGHBRED 
TAII.. 


Such  purchasing  has  been  the 


BAD  PURCHASING. 

farm  work  or  vice  versa, 
cause  of  many  failures. 

The  loins  of  a  good  horse  are  always  bulky  and  mus- 
cular, which  insures  vigor  and  strength.  Especially 
should  hunters,  racers,  and  saddle  horses  possess  this 
requirement. 

The  tail  of  a  well-bred  horse  is  always  carried  erect 


GOOD  NKCZ. 


GOOD  WIDTH. 


BAD  WIDTH. 


and  graceful,  while  in  the  lowbred  the  dock    is  com- 
pressed between  the  haunches. 


PRATTS  POINTERS  OS  THE  HORSE 


The  neck  should  be  of  good  thickness  and  slightly 
curved.     The  head  broad  between  the  eyes,  the  nostrils 


GOOD  MOUTH  AND  NOSTRUMS. 
BAD  MOUTH  AND  NOSTRUMS. 


GOOD  EARS. 


BAD  EARS. 


full,  the  mouth  large  and  the  lips  smooth  and  com- 
pressed. The  ears  should  be  broad,  not  too  long,  and 
incline  slightly  at  the  tips  towards 
each  other.     The  eyes  should  be 


GOOD  EYE. 


BAD  EYE. 


GOOD  CHEST,  WITHERS, 
SHOUI^DER  AND  BEI.I.Y. 


of  good  size  and  have  a  kindly  and 

intelligent  expression.    The  chest 

should  be  circular,  and  the  belly  of  all  horses,  rounded 

and  well  filled.  A  good  ani- 
mal always  has  a  deep  chest, 
high  withers  and  slanting 
shoulders. 

The  legs  should  be  straight 

GOOD  PASTERN.    POOR  PASTERN   ^nd   StrOUg,    aud   gOOd  judgCS 


10 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


say  the  toe  should  touch  a  perpendicular  line  if  dropped 
from  the  point  of  the  shoulder.     The  slope  of  the  pastern 


GOOD  HOOFS. 


BAD  HOOFS. 


THOROUGHBRED 
HAUNCH. 


should  be  gradual,  and  the  feet  stand  close  together 
with  the  hoofs  pointing  forward.  A  horse  should  have 
a  good  haunch.  Its  ability  for  work  depends  on  that ; 
therefore,  it  should  be  firm  and  strong.  Illustration 
gives  a  good  idea  of  a  thoroughbred  haunch. 


I    The  coats  of  horses  are  of  varied  colors. 
COLOR 

I  Bay  is  a  red  brown  color,  and  the  term 
is  used  for  various  shades.  Light  or  golden  bay  is  yel- 
lowish light  brown  ;  dark  bay  is  very  dark  brown  ;  and 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  U 

dappled  bay  horses  are  marked  with  darker  spots  on  the 
rump.  The  tail  and  mane  of  bay  horses  are  black. 
Black  horses  are  usually  coal  black,  which  is  very  hand- 
some ;  there  is  also  a  brown  or  red  black,  which  makes 
their  coats  appear  rusty.  Dun  colored  horses  are  of  a 
yellowish,  sandy  color.  Their  manes  and  tails  may  be 
white  or  black.  Chestnut  is  the  term  applied  to  cinna- 
mon colored  bay  ;  and  the  color  varies  from  bright 
chestnut,  which  is  very  red,  to  the  burnt  chestnut, 
which  is  almost  black.  Gray  horses  have  white  hair 
mixed  with  black.  Piebald  horses  are  white,  with 
large,  irregular  spots  of  varied  colors. 


COAT,  MANE, 
AND  TAIL 


All  horses  shed  their  coats  once  a  year. 

Coats  of  good 

horses  are  always 
of  fine  texture,  and  in  thorough- 
breds the  skin  is  thin,  the  veins 
prominent,  and  the  hair  silky. 
The  mane  and  tail  should  be  of 
good  length  and  sMky,  but  have  no  curl.  Some  judges 
say  that  curl  is  a  sign  of  low  breeding. 


PACES 


Paces  of  horses  are  regulated  and  con- 
trolled by  use  of  the  bit  and  spur.     The 
spur  causes  quick  action,  and   the  bit  regulates  and 


19  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

gives  precision.  The  paces  are  the  walk,  trot,  single 
foot,  or  fox  trot,  canter,  gallop,  pace,  and  run.  A  good 
quick  walker  is  a  point  of  excellence,  and  that  feature 
should  be  watched  before  purchasing. 


GENERAL 
NOTES 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE  STABLE. 
Although  many  improvements  are  con- 
stantly added  to  dwellings,  too  frequently 
the  stable  is  neglected.  In  many  other- 
wise perfect  establishments,  the  horses  are  kept  in  badly 
arranged  houses.  Every  stable  must  have  good  ventila- 
tion, absolute  cleanliness,  plenty  of  room,  light  and  be 
kept  free  from  dampness.  Careful  attention  given  to 
the  planning  of  the  details  before  building  insures 
healthy  horses  and  a  saving  of  money. 


.^^*^.^i.,   I    All  critics  and  builders  ag^ree  that  the 
LOCATION    I  *^ 

I  stable  should  be  built  on  a  slight  eleva- 
tion, near  the  dwelling  and  facing  the  south.  The 
elevation  will  allow  good  drainage ;  the  nearness  to  the 
dwelling  means  convenience,  and  with  a  southern 
exposure  the  stable  will  be  lighter  and  brighter.  Sun- 
light purifies  the  air  of  the  stable  and  eradicates  disease 
germs . 


PR/tTTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


18 


SIZE  OF 
STABLE 


Size  depends  entirely  on  the  number  and 
kind  of  horses  intended  to  be  kept. 
Race  horses  must  have  more  room 
than  work  horses.  It  is  a  better  plan  to  have  a  medium- 
sized  stable  thoroughly  equipped  with  everything  for  the 
health  and  comfort  of  the  horses  than  to  have  a  large 
imposing] stable  improperly  furnished.  Don't  sacrifice 
the  health  of  the  horses  for  mere  show. 


MATERIALS 
AND  COST 


The  choice  of  materials  depends  very 
much  on  what  the  neighborhood  can 
supply.  In  relation  to  cost,  the  best  is 
always  the  cheapest ;  and  no  accurate  estimate  can  be 
given,  as  it  depends  on  size,  location  and  materials  used. 
A  stable  is  built  to  last  for 
years;  see,  therefore,  that  it  is 
built  of  good  material  and 
honest  workmanship.  Brick 
or  stone  is  preferred  to  wood. 
If  wood  is  used  every  precau- 
tion must  be  taken  to  have  the 
stable  built  thoroughly  air- 
tight and  waterproof      Insist 

upon  having  a  good  foundation — one  that  will  prevent 
the  dampness  creeping  up  to  the  floor. 


A                   1 

=^c.:ii^ 

^ 

=rri 

r^V'-*  V  .;-  !-|- 

«w 

A-CEM£NT.  C- ASHES. 
B- BRICK     D-STONES. 

A  GOOD   FOUNDATION. 


14 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


EXTERIOR  PI^ANS. 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


16 


PLANS 


Have  the  builder  prepare   a   plan,  and 
see  that  ever}'thing  is  right  before  start- 


ing.   Stables  usually  consist  of  but  one  story  and  a  loft. 

11 


INTERIOR  PLANS. 


Never  have  too  many  horses  together.    Five  or  six  stalls 


10 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


in  a  row  is  about  right.  Every  stable  should  have  either 
a  harness  room  or  good  place  for  the  harness,  and  a  house 
for  carriages,  wagons,  etc.  The  illustrations  on  pages  14 
and  15  give  an  excellent  idea  of  arranging  the  ground 
floor. 


DRAINAGE 


Improper  drainage  is  the  cause  of  much 

trouble  in  the  keeping  of  horses.     The 

drains  carrying  the  rain  water  from  exterior  of  stable 


> 


> 


% 


m 


r?^ 


•  HEAD  oroAai«««. 


TRAP 


PI,AN  OF  DRAIN. 

should  be  entirely  separated  from  the  drains  carrying 
refuse  matter  from  interior,  and  should  run,  if  possible, 
in  a  dififerent  direction.  All  drains  should  be  con- 
structed in  such  a  manner  that  nothing  can  escape  from 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


17 


them  ;  and  should  have  enough  descent  to  prevent  stag- 
nation. Sanitary  traps  should  be  used  whenever  pos- 
sible. All  cesspools  should  be  walled  and  cemented, 
and  at  some  distance  from  the  stable.  The  drain,  in 
the  centre  of  each  stall,  should  connect  with  a  drain  in 
the  passageway,  running  along  the  back  of  the  stalls. 
Have  all  drains  large  enough  to  properly  carry  away  all 
matter  without  being  overcharged.  The  plans  here 
shown  will  give  an  excellent  idea  of  dijQferent  ways  of 
properly  draining  the  stable. 


CEILINQ, 
AISLES,  WIN- 
DOWS AND 
D00R5 


r 

r"  1^ 

'■ 

DOOR. 


above  the   doors, 
the  stalls. 


The  height  of  ceilings  should  be  at  least 

lo  feet.     The  aisles  from  5 

to  6  feet  wide,  which  allows 

g  plenty  of  room  to  back 
the  horses.  All  win- 
dows should  be  hung 
in  the  middle.  They 
should  be  wide  and 
kept  clean.  Doors 
should  open  outward,  be  divided 
in  the  middle  and  be  at  least  4 
feet  wide.  Transoms  should  be 
The  windows  should  be   dack  of 


WINDOW. 


18 


PR/fTTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


THE 
FLOOR 


The  best  floor  is  made  of  cement,  comi- 
gated  to  keep  the  horses  from  slipping; 
and   laid  in  such   manner  as  to  allow 


perfect  drainage.  The  floor, 
under  the  stalls,  of  a  large  well- 
regulated  stable  should  be  made 
as  follows  :  The  earth  dug  out 
several  feet,  a  foundation  of 
rough  stones  laid,  then  earth,  on 
top  of  which  straw  in  large  quanti- 
ties, can  be  used.  In  this  manner 
excellent  results  can  be  obtained, 
and  it  is  preferable  to  any  other 
kind  of   floor.      Brick  or  wood 


»TA 


CEMBNTED  FI^OOR. 


should  not  be  used,  as  they 

are  porous,  absorb  the  man- 


EARTH  FI,OOR. 


DRAIN. 


ure  and  moisture  and  prevent  the  stable  from  being 
healthy.  The  floor  of  stalls  must  be  as  level  as  possible, 
with  the  drain-  in  the  centre. 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


10 


STALLS 


No  stall  should  be  leas  than  6  feet  wide 
by  lo  feet  long;   and   loose  box  stalls 

should  be  at  least  12  feet  square. 

Partitions  between  stalls  should 

be  high  enough  to  prevent  the 

horses  from  seeing  each  other, 

and  be  at  least  6  feet  6  inches 

high  at  the   manger  and  about 

4    feet   6    inches   at    the   aisle. 

In    up-to-date  stables  iron   pil- 
lars are  used  at  the  end  of  the 

stalls,  and  neat  iron  gratings  above  the  wood  partitions. 

Oak  is  the  best  wood  to  use.     Have  stalls  arranged  in 


STAU,. 


PARTITION. 


I.OOSE  BOX  STAI,!.. 


such  a  position  that  the  light  and  ventilation  will  be 
back  of  the  horses.  Always  have  several  loose  box 
stalls  in  the  stable.  They  are  excellent  for  sick  and 
lame  horses,  breeding  mares  and  colts. 


20 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


riANQERS 


Horse  owners  disagree  about  mangers; 
some  prefer  oak,  while  others  give  prefer- 


/i      /A 

-^M 

liiiiiiii' 

\— 

-A P 

AC  "  /A  ' 

^I-Ji 

'■■I r- — —i§ 

t^ 

MANGBRS. 

ence  to  galvanized  or 

enameled  iron.      The 

most   convenient, 

whether  made  of  iron 

or  wood,    are    those 

that  contain  hay  rack, 

corn  manger    and 

water   trough  in  one. 

These   are   very   neat 

and  easily  cleaned. 

The    diagrams    show 

exactly  how  they  are 

constructed.     Wood  is  cheaper,  but  is  apt  to  be  gnawed ; 

while  the  iron  ones  last 
forever,  and  are  easier 
cleaned.  The  wall 
above  the  manger  can 
be  either  boarded  or 
tiled.  Have  two  rings 
in  the  manger  and  one 
in  the  partition  higher 

up.     Never  have  the  hay  fed  from  an  overhead  rack,  or 

from  a  chute,  which  fills  the  stable  with  dust. 


BAD  HAY  RACKS. 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


21 


VENTILA- 
TION 


Ventilation  is  necessary  to  the  health  of 
horses.  Plenty  of  sun- 
light and  good  pure  air 
throughout  the  stable  is  essential.  The 
ventilator  should  be  placed  in  the  ceil- 
ing over  the  aisle,  connecting  with  an 
air-flue,  which  should  run  to  the  roof 
or  side  of  building. 

Patent  wheel  ventilators  are  use- 
ful, and  pay  for  themselves  by  the 
pure  air  of  the  stable. 


HAY  MOWS, 
CORN  CHAM- 
BER. ETC. 


The  upper  part  of  the  stable  is  used  for 
the  storage  of  food  ;  and  should  be  so 
arranp^ed  that   . 


3  I 


r»9 


A.   SHCLUcn 


\i.    CORN  CHAMBER. 


I    N 


it  can  be  easily  reached.    A 

room  should  be  made    in 

which  to  keep  the  corn  and 

grain.      As   corn   should 

always    be    dry,    a  quantity 

should  be  stored  here  until 

wanted.     This  room  should 

be  fitted  with  a  window  and  be  large  enough  in  which  to 

mix  the  feed,  etc.    The  hay  mows  should  be  large,  kept 

perfectly  dry  and  well  ventilated. 


^. 


CORN   CHAMBER. 


22 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


WATER  IN 
THE  STABLE 


If  water  can  be  brought  into  the  stable 
by  means  of  pipes  it  will  be  found  con- 
venient to  clean  the  floors,  etc.  Pure 
water  is  necessary  to  the  health  of  the  horses.  Therefore 
the  water  should  be  tested  before  allowing  them  to  drink 
from  a  new  supply.  In  the  new  style  mangers  a  water 
tank  is  provided,  and  horses  are  watered  in  the  stalls. 
Under  the  chapter  on  '*  Feeding  and  Watering  "  details 
are  given. 


STABLE 
NECESSITIES 


Every  well-regulated  stable  should  con- 
tain  pitchforks 


STABuE  CLO&er. 


of  difierent  sizes,  shovel,  wheel- 
barrow, broom,  buckets,  half 
bushel  measure,  sponge,  curry- 
comb, waterbrush,  cloths,  oil 
can  and  brush,  scissors,  etc., 
also  halters  and  blankets  of 
difierent  weights.      All   these  stable  closet. 

articles  should  have  a  place  arranged  for  them,  and 
should  always  be  kept  in  a  clean  and  serviceable  condi- 
tion. The  harness  room  and  carriage  house  will  be 
described  in  following  chapter. 


1^ 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  28 

CHAPTER  III. 

HARNESS   ROOM   AND  CARRIAGE   HOUSE. 


ADVANTAQES 

OP  A  HARNESS 

ROOM 


It  is  absolutely  neceisary  to  have  the 
harness  and  accessories  kept  in  a  clean 
and  convenient  location  ;  and  nothing 
answers  this  purpose  so  completely  as  a  well-arranged 
harness  room.  The  harness  is  then  kept  away  from  all 
smell,  ammonia,  dust,  etc. ;  and  it  is  not  only  convenient, 
but  economical  as  well.  Every  piece  of  harness  should 
have  its  particular  location  and  be  always  in  its  proper 
place  when  not  in  use.  Having  a  place  for  everything 
gives  the  stable  a  neat  and  attractive  appearance  and 
adds  to  the  value  of  the  property. 


CARE  OF 
HARNESS 


Always  dry  harness  thoroughly  before 
putting  it  away.  Clean  the  collar  care- 
fully or  chafed  shoulders  will  be  the 
result.  Pratts  Harness  Soap  is  now  in  general  use  by 
a  large  majority  of  horse  owners.  It  lasts  longer  and 
cleans  better  than  any  imported  or  domestic  soap  made. 
Carefully  dry  with  a  clean  cloth  immediately  afterward. 
Keep  all  nickel  bright  and  clean.     Ammonia  and  whit- 


2A 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


ing  is  good  to  use  for  this  purpose.  Bale  wire  is  excel- 
lent for  mending  a  trace  or  strap.  Never  put  ofif  repair- 
ing harness;  do  it  at  once. 


SIZE  AND 
LOCATION 


Q    u    u  u   e 
BRAKETS. 


HARNESS   ROOM* 


CNTRANCt 


r— — — I  CARRlACt 
SINK      HOUSE 


The  harness  room  should  not  be  less  than 
twelve  feet  square,  and  can  be  in  the 
stable  or  attached  to  it.  An  excellent 
arrangement  is  to  have  the  stable,  harness  room  and 
carriage  house  combined  in  the  order  named.  For  fine 
harness,  blankets,  rugs,  etc.,  closets  should  be  built 
along  the  sides;  and  shelves  should  be  made  to  hold 

brushes,  rags,  oil,  etc.  There 
should  be  plenty  of  pegs  and 
brackets ;  also  hooks  hanging 
from  the  ceiling  to  hold  har- 
ness while  cleaning.  Every 
harness  room  should  contain 
a  stove  or  range,  with  boiler 
attachment,  so  that  water 
can  be  quickly  heated.  This  is  especially  desirable  in 
winter,  as  the  chill  can  be  taken  from  the  drinking  water, 
and  the  mangers,  harness  and  wagons  be  more  readily 
cleaned  by  the  use  of  hot  water.  The  heat  will  also  be  of 
great  service  in  drying  blankets  and  wet  harness. 


PI,AN  OF  HARNESS  ROOM. 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


26 


Harness 

AND 
HARNESSiNa 


of  horses. 


Proper  harness,  its  care,  and  a  thorough 
knowledge  of  harnessing  should  be  ac- 
quired by  all  who  drive  or  have  the  care 
The  safety  of  lives  depends  on  the  harness, 
and  it  is  criminal  to  neglect 
it.      Many  lives  have  been 
sacrificed   on   account  of  a 
weakened  piece  of  harness, 
which  should  have  received 
attention.      Every  part 
should   be  examined  fre- 
quently ;  and  if,  by  an  acci- 
dent on   the  road,   a  piece 
is  broken,  the  driver  should 
understand  how  to  repair 


REPAIRING  ON  THE  ROAD. 


it.  Buy  only  that  which 
contains  good  leather 
and  honest  workman- 
ship. It  should  be  light 
and  simple,  but  strong 
and  pliable.  The  chief 
parts  of  harness  are  the 
bridle,  and  the  collar 
and  traces,  the  saddle, 
with  straps  to  support 
the  shafts,  crupper  and  breeching. 


IN  HARNESS. 


26 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


THE 
BRIDLE 


The  bridle  may  or  may  not  have  blinkers 
attached.  Some  horsemen  think  they 
do  more  harm  than  good ;  but  this 
lepends  entirely  upon  the  horse.  IMost 
Lorses,  however,  work  better  with  them, 
as  it  keeps  their  attention  closely  to 
their  work.  The  bit  is  the  most  impor- 
tant part  of  the  bridle;  and  it  is  to  con- 
trol, and  not  torture  the  horse.  A  bit 
should  fit  the  mouth,  be  just  the  width  of  the  mouth  and 
no  larger.  Bad  fitting  and  cruel  bits  are  the  causes  of 
hard  mouths  and  unmanageable  horses. 


BI^INKSRS. 


TRACES.  SAD- 
DLE. BREECH- 
INQ,  CRUPPER 


The  traces  should  be  attached  to  the 
hames  at  such  a  point  that  the  horse  can 
pull  properly.  A  good  collar-maker  will 
fix  this  point,  as  it  takes  a  knowledge  of  a  horse's  build 
to  do  so.  Care  must  be  taken  that  the  traces  are  of 
equal  length.  The  size  of  the  pad  or  saddle  depends  on 
the  nature  of  the  work  required.  For  carriages  it 
should  be  light,  but  for  heavy  work  it  must  be  broad 
and  well  stuflfed.  The  tugs  or  straps  must  be  of  such 
length  as  to  suspend  the  shafts  at  a  correct  height.  The 
breeching  is  worn  in  single  harness,  and  must  be  loose 
enough  to  allow  proper  action.     The  crupper  is  to  keep 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


27 


the  saddle  in  place ;  and  the  part  under  the  tail  must  be 
perfectly  smooth. 


THE 
COLLAR 


COI,I,AR. 


The  most  important  part  of  the  harness 
is  the  collar.  It  must  fit,  or  the  horse 
will  suffer  and  be  unable  to  pull  properly. 
If  it  is  too  large  it  will  chafe  the  shoulder ;  and  if  too 
small,  it  presses  the  windpipe  and  worries 
the  horse.  Have  the  collar  made  to  order 
so  that  it  exactly  fits  the  neck  and  shoulders, 
then  the  weight  of  the  load  will  be  dis- 
tributed over  the  front  of  the  shoulders, 
gSJfc^  leaving  the  wind- 

jA  f  fitting  collar  is  as  much  annoy- 

^^^:::=  "^-fBHrts-    ance  to  a  horse  as  a  pair  of  bad- 

V^       J  shaped  shoes  is  to  a  man.    The 

|\     /  lining  should  be  of  a  smooth, 

BREAST  coi.i,AR.  g^f^  leather,  and  be  always  kept 

perfectly  clean.     The  best  collars  are  those  that  open  at 

the  top.    This  is  much  better  than  the  kind  that  goes  on 

over  the  horse's  head.      The  latter  style  annoys  and 

worries  many  horses.     The  breast  collar,  or  strap,  is  not 

to  be   recommended  ;   although  it   looks  very  neat,  it 

presses  against  those  muscles  which  should   not  en- 


28  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

dure  pressure,  and  it  frequently  interferes  with  proper 
breathing. 


THE 

CARRlAOe 

HOUSE 


This  house  should  be  joined  to  the 
harness  room,  so  that  a  door,  connecting 
the  two,  in  freezing  weather,  can  be  left 
open  ;  and  the  heat  diffused,  thus  protecting  the  good 
vehicles.  The  carriage  house  should  be  just  large 
enough  to  hold  the  carriages  and  wagons  ;  and  nothing 
else  should  be  stored  in  it.  Many  carriage  houses  are 
often  filled  with  a  miscellaneous  assortment  of  pitch- 
forks, rakes,  buckets  and  other  articles  not  intended  to 
be  kept  there.  The  place  for  cleaning  carriages  and 
wagons  will  be  treated  under  another  heading. 


RULES  TO 
FEED 


CHAPTER   IV. 

FEEDING   AND   WATERING. 

Regularity  in  feeding  is  one  of  the  most 
important  rules.  Common  sense  and 
judgment  must  be  used  in  the  amount 
and  kind  of  food  given,  which  depends  on  the  nature, 
size  of  horse,  and  amount  of  w^ork  to  be  done.  The 
more  work,  the  larger  the  ration.  Overfeeding  is  the 
habit  of  many  horse  owners,   consequently  the  horses 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  20 

lay  on  a  larger  supply  of  fat  while  lacking  in  good  hard 
muscle.  Race  horses,  that  are  sensitive  and  compelled 
to  do  exhaustive  work,  must  have  the  best  food  money 
can  buy.  Young  horses  should  have  very  nourishing 
and  nutritious  food,  and  a  large  quantity  of  it,  for  the 
proper  development  of  their  bodies.  Many  good  colts 
have  been  stunted  in  their  growth  by  improper  food. 
Food  must  not  only  build  up  the  bodies,  but  supply 
heat  as  well. 


FOOD       I    A^t^o^R^  t^^  natural  food  of  the  horse 
is  grass,  yet  when  stabled  and  compelled 


to  work,  it  must  have  a  more  concentrated  and  nutri- 
tious food.  To  insure  health  in  horses,  and  to  fit  them 
properly  for  work,  their  food  must  be  of  a  mixed  char- 
acter, nutritious,  and  have  sufl&cient  bulk  to  insure 
good  digestion.  Then  all  parts  of  the  body  will  be 
supplied  and  strengthened.  The  food  of  horses  vary  in 
diflferent  parts  of  the  globe ;  but  the  general  foods  are 
hay,  grass,  corn,  oats,  barley,  rye,  beans,  peas,  bran, 
linseed,  carrots,  turnips,  potatoes  and  apples.  It  is  im- 
portant that  the  horse  should  be  watered  before  feeding. 
Hay  should  be  fed  first  and  then  grain,  (which  is  the 
concentrated  food,)  should  be  given  last.  This  causes 
the  grain  to  remain  in  the  stomach   until  thoroughly 


80  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

digested,  and  enables  the  horse  to  obtain  the  full  benefit 
of  the  strength-giving  food. 


OATS  AND 
CORN 


Oats  are  the  best  grain  food  for  horses. 
In  buying  oats  see 
that  the  grains  are 
heavy,  the  husks  thin,  and  that  it 
is  free  from  a  musty  smell.  Corn, 
according  to  present  opinion, 
should  not  be  fed  too  frequently,  good  oats. 

as  it  supplies  fat,  but  very 
little  muscle.  Oats  are 
much  better.  Corn  should 
be  fed  in  winter  more  than 
in   summer,    as   it    is  very 

MUSTY  oats— MAGNIFIED.  i         ,  •  ^  j  . 

heatmg.  Corn  and  oats  are 
more  easily  digested  if  slightly  crushed  or  bruised. 
Chaff  and  bruised  corn  make  an  economical  and  healthy 
food  ;  but  should  only  be  fed  occasionally. 


OREBN  FOOD  I  ^^^^  should  be  used  in  feeding  the  horses 
I  green  food.  Many  will  eat  so  greedily 
as  to  cause  colic.  It  is  best  to  mix  the  green  food  with 
the  other  food.  When  fed  in  small  quantities,  it  is  good 
for  all  horses. 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


81 


TURNING 
TO  GRASS 


Turning  to  grass  is  done  frequently  when 
the  horses  have  been  overworked,  and 
are  suffering  from  sore  feet,  bad  legs,  etc. 
This  method  has  many  friends  ;  but  no  horse  should  be 
turned  out  to  grass  unless  there  is  a  shelter  in  the  field, 
where  it  can  be  protected 
from  the  rain,  flies  and  heat. 
Some  farmers,  every  even- 
ing in  summer,  allow  their 
horses  a  ten  minutes'  run  in 
a  grass  field,  and  the  results 
are  good. 


SHEI^TER. 


HAY, 

AND  AMOUNT 

TO  FEED 


Hay  should  always  be  bright,  and  every 
fibre  distinct,  of  a  greenish  tint,  firm 
long,    have    a    pleasant    odor,     free    from 


weeds    and    dust. 

Foreign    grasses 

and  weeds  are  dis- 

tinguished    by 

their  darker  color. 

Hay  should   be 

well    seasoned     be-  good  hay. 

fore  feeding.     It  should  lay  at   least   six    months  ;  but    a 

year  is  still  better.     Clover  hay  must  not  be  very  weedy 


82  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

or  the  horse  will  refuse  to  eat  it.  Never  feed  burnt, 
musty,  mildew,  or  dirty  hay.  If  you  do,  it  will  cause 
sickness.  The  amount  of  hay  to  feed  daily  must  be 
determined  by  experience.  Some  authorities  say  twelve 
pounds  a  day  is  sufficient, 
while  others  allow  fifteen 
to  eighteen  pounds.  By 
watching  results  of 
amount  fed,  the  proper 
quantity  will  soon  be  de- 
termined for  each  animal. 
All  horses  should  have 
cut  food  once  daily.  This, 

•  1  1  •    •  •  CUTTERS 

in  addition  to  grain,  con-  ' 

sists  of  hay,  cornfodder  or  straw,  cut,  wetted  and  mixed 
with  bran.  As  horses  in  the  natural  state  prefer  moist 
grass,  many  horsemen  sprinkle  the  hay  with  water 
before  feeding.  Horses  like  crisp  hay;  but  dislike  any 
that  is  soft  and  woolly. 


COOKED 
FOOD 


Cooked  food  is  generally  condemned. 
The  process  of  cooking  does  not  render 
it  more  nutritious  or  easier  to  digest.  It 
is  not  natural  for  a  horse  to  have  sloppy  food;  it  is  too 
easily  swallowed  and  it  weakens  the  digestive  organs. 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


33 


Horses  that  are  fed  cooked  food  are  subject  to  colic,  diar- 
rhoea and  many  other  diseases,  and  are  lacking  in  vigor. 


FEEDING 
HOURS 


Horses  should  be  fed  three  times  a  day. 
The  first  meal  should  be  between  five  and 
six  o'clock,  while  the  last  food  should 
be  given  about  six  or  seven  p.  m. 
Regularity  is  necessary  to  proper 
health.  Over-eating  and  indiges- 
tion are  usually  caused  by  not  fol- 
lowing this  rule.  Arrange  such 
hours  as  are  convenient,  and  then 
follow  them  faithfully.  As  a 
horse,  in  its  natural  state,  always 
eats  with  its  head  down,  serve  its 
food  low,  especially  hay. 


KATING— HBAD  DOWN. 


OTHER 

FOODS 


Barley  and  rye  should  be  fed  with  care. 
Beans  and  peas,  thoroughly  dried  and 
crushed,  with  oats,  make  an  excellent 
mixture.  They  contain  much  nutriment,  and  it  is  a 
good  feed  for  farm  horses.  Bran,  in  some  stables,  is  fed 
daily  and  good  results  are  shown.  Carrots  and  turnips 
fed  raw  are  good  for  hard- worked  horses.  Potatoes,  on 
account  of  their  cheapness  and  worth,  make  a  good  winter 
food,  and  when  boiled  and  mixed  with  oats  and  chopped 


84  PR^TTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

hay,  are  nutritious.  Apples,  with  the  grain,  are  excel- 
lent. Never  feed  a  tired  or  heated  horse,  and  let  the 
evening  meal  be  the  heaviest 


PRATTS 
REMEDIES 


We  have  endeavored  to  lay  down  practi- 
cal and  common  sense  rules  in  feeding  ; 
and  believe,  if  they  are  consistently  car- 
ried out,  that  healthy,  profitable  results  will  follow.  At 
the  same  time,  no  matter  how  much  care,  time,  atten- 
tion and  judgment  are  given  to  rules  of  any  kind,  there 
are  times  when  it  is  impossible  to  carry  them  out  as 
they  should  be.  Then,  again,  at  times  it  is  necessary 
to  work  the  horses  harder  than  usual,  or  sudden  changes 
of  weather,  or  long  exposure  to  rains  and  storms  will 
cause  the  animals  to  get  out  of  condition  ;  and  it  is  on 
account  of  these  irregularities  that  Pratt  Food  Com- 
pany's well-known  remedies — Pratts  Food  for  Horses 
and  Cattle,  Pratts  Animal  Regulator  and  Pratts  Purely 
Vegetable  Condition  Powder — show  their  great  value. 
If  either  is  given  regularly  with  each  feed,  a  horse  will 
receive  full  nutriment  and  benefit  f/t)m  all  he  eats  ;  and 
as  they  keep  the  digestive  organs  in  perfect  condition, 
the  bowels  regular  and  the  blood  pure,  a  horse  will  be 
free  from  disease  and  kept  robust  and  healthy.  They 
are  mild  stimulative  and  digestive  tonics  or  regulators, 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


85 


composed  of  harmless  roots,  herbs  and  barks,  and  do 
not  contain  vegetable  or  mineral  poisons  of  any  kind. 
These  remedies  are  not  to  be  fed  in  bulk,  but  mixed  in 
small  quantities  as  directed,  with  the  animal's  regular 
food.  While  they  cure  most  all  ailments  to  which 
horses  are  liable,  these  famous  Remedies  are  just  as 
valuable  as  preventives,  flesh  producers  and  savers  of 
food.  They  are  now  in  use  throughout  the  world.  See 
treatment  of  diseases  explaining  the  value  of  Pratts 
Remedies  in  each  disease,  and  how  to  give  them. 


SALT 


All  horses  like  salt,  and  should  have  it 
within  easy  reach  ;  instinct  will  not 
allow  them  to  eat  more  than  is 
necessary  for  their  health.  The 
best  way  is  to  fasten  a  large 
lump,  weighing  three  pounds, 
in  a  place  where  the  horse  can 
easily  lick  it  when  wanted. 


SALT  IN  STAI,!,. 


Horses  should  be  watered  as  early  in  the 
morning  as  possible,  and  at  least  twenty 
minutes  before  feeding.     There  are  two 
methods  at  present  used  in  watering  horses.     One  is  to 


WHEN  AND 

HOW 
TO  WATER 


36 


PRylTTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


-m- 


^^m. 


I 


always  have  the  water  before  them  in  the  stall,  and  the 
other  is  to  water  at  stated  intervals.  If  water  is  con- 
stantly kept  before  a  horse,  unless  he  has  been  accus- 
tomed to  it  from  a  colt,  he  is  apt  to  drink  too  much 
when  overheated  ;  but  this  can  be  remedied  by  having 

a  cover  to  the  tank.  It  has 
been  proven  that  horses  will 
drink  less  when  they  have  water 
always  before  them  than  if 
they  are  watered  at  certain  in- 
tervals. If  water  is  not  kept 
constantly  before  them  they 
should  have  it  at  least  four 
COVER  TO  TANK  iif  STAI.I..  ^:^^^^    ^    j^y^      ^j^^    amouut 

drank  depends  on  the  weather  and  their  work.  One  and 
one-half  to  two  buckets  is  about  right.  Never  water 
when  overheated.  Oatmeal  mixed  with  the  water  is 
excellent  when  the  horses  are  tired  or  exhausted.  Have 
the  temperature  of  the  water  a  little  below  that  of  the 
stable.  Never  give  ice  water.  In  winter,  heat  the  water 
till  it  is  of  the  proper  temperature,  and  rheumatism,  as 
well  as  indigestion,  will  be  prevented.  Water  the  horse 
before  starting  on  a  journey.  As  a  last  rule,  be  sure  that 
the  water  is  pure  and  clean  ;  also  that  the  bucket  or 
trough  is  free  from  dirt 


FRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


37 


NECESSITY 
OF  WATER 


Water  is  as  much  a 
necessity  to  horses 
as  food  ;  and  they 
should  always  be  properly  supplied 
with  soft,  clean  water.  The  horse 
is  the  best  judge  of  the  amount  of 
water  needed,  and  if  watered  ac- 
cording to  instructions  below,  will 
not  drink  any  more  than  is  needed 
for  health. 


HORSB  DRINKING. 


CHAPTER  V. 


STABLE 

YARD 
MANURE 


THE    STABLE   YARD. 

This  is  a  subject  that  the  average  horse 
owner  sadly  neglects.  A  well-kept  man- 
ure heap  is  an  indication  of  thrift.  One- 
third  of  the  value  of  manure  is  anually  lost  by  bad 
management  in  most  establishments.  If  the  manure  is 
carefully  saved  and  used  properly,  the  fertility  of  the 
soil  is  retained.  For  every  looo  pounds  of  live  weight 
of  a  horse  the  value  per  year  of  manure  produced  by 
that  horse  is  about  twenty-six  to  twenty-eight  dollars. 
Another  fact  is  that  the  urine  of  horses  is  most  valuable 
if  saved  as  per  stable  yard  hints.  Manure  loses  its  value 
by  too  much  fermentation  and  leaching.      A  certain 


88 


PRytTTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


amount  of  fermentation  is  necessary.     This  can  be  coui 
trolled  by  addition  of  moisture. 


STABLE 
HINTS 


The  stable  yard  is  one  of  the  -most  im 
portant  factors  to  those  that  keep  horses; 
and  it  should  be  built  in  a  thorough  sani- 
Formerly  stable  yards  were  so  badly 


ORDINARY  STABI.E  YARD. 


tary  manner. 

arranged  that  all 

the    valuable 

draining  from 

the     manure 

would  run  offand 

be  wasted.  Many 

new    features 

have  been  added, 

however,  to  make 

the    stable  yard 

nearer  to  what  it 

should  be.  In  the 

first    place,    it 

should    be    of 

fairly  good  size; 

and  second,  the 

space  where  the 

manure  is  kept  should  be  paved  with  concrete,  gradually 


CArt. 


',^U 


PI^N,  GOOD  STABI^B   YARD. 


FRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


89 


sloping  to  the  centre,  where  a  small  well  can  be  made^ 
also  lined  with  concrete,  to  hold  the  draining,  which  can 
then  be  pumped  or  thrown  over  the  heaped  manure, 
adding  greatly  to  its  value. 


COVERED 
STABLE 
YARDS 


Some  stable  yards  are  now  entirely 
covered  with  a  substantial  roof,  which 
makes  an  excellent  protection  for  both 
animals  and  the  manure.  It  also  provides  a  pleasant 
place  to  work,  especially  in  winter.      The  yard  can  be 


COVERED  STABLE  YARD   (2). 

covered  with  a  plain  roof,  or  a  second  story  can  be  added, 
which  will  be  found  very  convenient  for  storage  of  straw, 
etc.  Where  the  yard  is  not  covered,  a  good  plan  is  to  build 
a  roof  extending  about  12  feet  from  the  stable,  and  12  feet 
from  the  ground,  running  the  full  length  of  the  stable. 


40  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

Some  build  a  shed  over  the  manure,  and  leave  \.\c  bal- 


"N.       ^^^ 


/^ 


ROOF  EXTENDING 
FROM  STABILE. 


SHED   (manure). 

ance  of  the  yard  uncovered.     The  plans  submitted  ^ve 
an  idea  of  difierent  methods  of  covering  the  stable  yard. 


THE  WASH 
FLOOR 


In  the  stable  yard,  or  in  close  proximity 

to  the  carriage  house, 

there  should  be  a 
cemented  space  12  to  15  feet  square, 
on    which    to  wash  carriages,   etc. 


WASH   FI.OOR  PI.AN. 

It  should  incline 
towards  the  centre, 
where  an  opening 
should  be,  connect- 
ing with  a  drain. 
If  possible  this 


COVERED  WASH  FI^OOR  ADJOINING  THE 
CARRIAGE  HOUSE. 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


41 


space  should  be  covered  with  a  neat  shingle  roof.  This 
can  be  constructed  at  a  slight  expense  and  should  be 
found  in  every  yard. 


THE  STABLE 
TANK 


In   many   instances  a  stable   is  located 
beyond  the  reach 
of    pipe   water, 
the    convenience 
There  should   be 


and    without 

of  windmills. 

constructed  at  least  a  hundred 

gallon    tank    in  the    stable,  as 

high    up    as    possible;    and   by  barn  tank. 

the  use  of  a  force  pump,  kept 

.continually  filled. 
The  water,  by  the 
use  of  pipes,  can 
then  be  distributed 
throughout  the 
stable  and  yard. 
The  convenience  of 
this  is  unquestion. 
able.      Pipes  should 

lead  to  the  water  trough,  to  the  stalls,  to  the  harness 

room,  to  wash  floor,  etc. 


«A 

• 

\      1 

• 

C 

«t 

ki 
Z 

c 

< 
z 

5 

FLOW? 

J 

• 

•                     J 

• 

< 

• 

•  TAPS 


DISTRIBUTING  PIPES. 


42 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


THE 

STABLE  YARD 

TROUGH 


Another  necessity  of  the  stable  yard  is  a 
good  watering  trough,  which  should 
always  be  located  under  a  roof  of  some 


kind.  It  should  be 
of  generous  size, 
made  of  two-inch 
pine  planks,  and 
lined  with  metal, 
with  an  opening 
at  the  bottom,  so 
that  the  water  may 


TROUGH    UNDER  SHED. 


^ 


THE  TROUGH. 


be   run   off   in 

freezing  weather, 
or  for  the  purpose 
of  cleaning.  This 
trough  should  be 
kept    perfectly 


clean  and  the  water  in  it  fresh  and  cool. 


THE 
PADDOCK 


When  a  stable  is  so  located  that  it  is 
possible  to  have  a  paddock,  it  is  a  valuable 
adjunct,  and  is  simply  a  small  pasture, 
neatW  fenced,  adjoining  the  stable.  It  is  used  for 
rearmg  colts,  also  as  a  resting  place  for  sick  or  over- 
worked horses.     This  pasture  should   contain   a  good 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


48 


sweit. 


^3 


rnov*-m    1 


growth  of  rich  grass.     The  best  paddocks  either  have  a 

neat  shelter  built  on  them  or 

have  a  box  stall  in  the  stable 

opening  into  the  paddock.    A 

horse  can  then  go  in  and  out 

at  pleasure.     This   gives  the 

colts  or  horses  a  shelter  from 

the  weather  or  flies.    It  is  most 

profitable  to  have  a  place  of 

this  kind  to  use  when  needed. 

Another  necessity  to  a  paddock  is  a  water  trough  kept 

filled  with  clear  water. 


JO 

PADDOCK  PI«AN. 


HOW  TO  TREAT 

AND 

USE  MANURE 


The  best  method  is  described  in  stable 
yard  hints  on  page  'x,']^  which  allows  the 
drainings  to  run  into  a  well  constructed 

in  the  centre  of  the  manure  heap,  and  then  pump  it  over 

the  manure,  always 

keeping  it  in  a  fair- 
ly moist  condition. 

Heap  it  about   ten 

feet  high   and    be 

careful   to    smooth 

the  outer   sides   to 

prevent    too   free 

circulation  of  air.     To  prevent  ammonia  from  evaporat- 


PUMP   FOR   MANURE. 


44  PR/1TTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

ing,   a  small    amount  of  gypsum  is  sprinkled  in   the 
manure.      It  has  been  said  that  it  is  better  not  to  cover 

the   manure;  but   that   idea  is 
rapidly  dying  out,  and  it  is  now- 
thought  much  better  in  every 
d-i'-^'i  -•»  respect  to  have  it  covered,   as 

SMOOTH  SIDES  OF  HEAP,  ti^^re  is  uot  such  a  loss  from 
excessive  heat  or  continued  rains.  Manure  so  protected 
is  always  stronger,  therefore  more  valuable.  In  using 
the  manure,  light  and  frequent  applications  bring  far 
the  best  results.  The  mixing  of  commercial  fertilizers 
with  the  manure,  however,  improves  its  value  greatly. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

BREEDING. 


The  first  question  a  breeder  must  settle  in  his  mind 
is  what  he  wants;  and  breed  with  that  point  in  view.  If 
a  work  horse  is  wanted,  breed  from  those  animals  that 
have  the  desired  qualities  ;  and  so  on  throughout  the 
breeding  of  different  horses  for  different  uses.  This 
principle  must  be  adhered  to  strictly  to  be  successful. 

The  idea  in  breeding  horses  is  at  all  times  with  the 
aim  of  improving  the  breed.  All  who  engage  in  breed- 
ing horses  will  find  that  it  requires  time,  patience  and 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  46 

thought.  The  more  care  expended  before  starting,  the 
better  the  results  will  prove.  Never  attempt  to  breed 
anything  but  good  colts;  scrubs  never  pay.  There  is 
money  in  breeding  certain  kinds  of  horses;  but  that 
subject  will  be  treated  in  the  chapter  on  ''  Profit  and 
Loss. ' ' 


IMPORTANCE 

OP 

SELECTION 


As  a  colt  always  has,  in  a  more  or  less 
modified  form,  many  of  the  habits  and 
outward  appearances  of  its  parents,  the 
aecessity  of  careful  selection  can  be  readily  seen.  Sound, 
healthy  and  good-tempered  animals  alone  can  furnish 
desirable  colts.  The  surest  rule  is  to  always  select  the 
best  obtainable  of  the  breed  desired,  and  disappointment 
will  be  reduced  to  a  minimum.  The  purer  the  breed,  the 
better  the  offspring  will  be. 


THE  BROOD 
HARE 


In  choosing  the  brood  mare  a  great  many 
things  must  be  taken  into  consideration. 
She  must  have  good  health  and  temper; 
her  frame  should  be  compact,  yet  roomy  to  a  certain 
extent ;  and  she  must  have  strength.  As  blood  always 
tells  in  the  progeny,  let  the  mare  be  of  good  blood.  It 
is  just  as  important  for  the  mare  as  the  stallion;  and  this 
is  where  many  breeders  make  mistakes.    They  use  most 


46 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


any  kind  of  a  mare  with  a  blood  stallion,  and  expect 
good  results. 

A  mare,  before  breeding,  should  be  examined 
thoroughly,  not  only  to  see  that  health  is  good,  but  also 
that  she  is  free  from  spavins,  ringbones,  all  bony  en- 


A  GOOD    BROOD  MARE. 


largements,  curby  hocks,  bad  feet,  broken  wind,  cataract 
and  all  other  diseases  that  are  hereditary.  The  temper  of 
the  mare  is  important,  and  no  one  should  breed  from  an 
ill-tempered  or  vicious  animal.  The  frame  sufficiently 
large  so  that  the  colt  can  be  properly  carried.  The 
shoulders  fleshy,  firm  and  with  the  proper  slant.  The 
loins  broad  and  the  hips  wide  apart.  The  mouth  and 
nostrils  large  and  eye  bright.  A  healthy  coat  is  also 
necessary.  Strength  and  ability  to  work  are  excellent 
traits   to  perpetuate.     A  good  brood  mare  is  valuable. 


PR/1TTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


47 


THE 
STALLION 


The  stallion,  to  have  good  results,  must 
always  be  adapted  to  the  mare ;  and 
should  also  possess  all  the  good  qualities 
mentioned.  It  shows  good  judgment  when  a  stallion  is 
chosen  that  has  blood,  fine  staying  qualities,  soundness, 
and  a  strong,  well-built  form,  with  straight  and  short, 
legs.      A  stallion  must  have  a  certain  amount  of  fat, 


A  GOOD  BROOD  STAI.I,ION. 

which  is  necessary  to  a  good  constitution  ;  but  should 
not  be  loaded  down  with  it,  as  it  is  apt  to  cause  sickness 
and  sudden  death.  A  stallion  is  frequently  chosen  that 
exaggerates  the  features  sought  for  in  the  colt:  so,  if  the 
mare  has  long  legs,  a  short-legged  stallion  is  used  ;  but 
this  kind  of  breeding  must  be  ver>^  carefully  studied,  or 


48  FR/1TTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HOR5B 

freaks,  instead  of  well-proportioned  colts,  will  be  the 
result 


BREEDING 
AGES 


For  good  results,  it  is  always  best  that 
both  the  sire  and  dam  should  be  mature 
and  have  plenty  of  vigor.  If  too  young 
or  too  old,  the  offspring  is  apt  to  be  weak  and  under- 
sized. The  general  rule  is  that  a  young  mare  be  put  to 
a  well-matured  horse,  not  less  than  from  eight  to  ten 
years  old  ;  and  a  young  stallion  be  used  for  an  old  mare. 
Mares  can  breed  from  two  to  twenty-five  years  old,  and 
sometimes  older.  It  has  been  proven  that  age,  when 
bred  with  youth,  is  no  detriment,  as  some  of  our  very 
best  horses  have  been  bred  from  old  mares. 

A  mare  should  never  be  bred,  however,  until  she  is 
at  least  three  years  old  ;  four  years  is  even  better.  She 
will  then  be  more  fully  developed,  and  her  foal  stronger. 
Stallions  frequently  have  full  vigor  for  twenty-five  years. 
Young  stallions  should  be  used  with  judgment,  or  injury 
will  ensue. 

Early  spring  is  said  to  be  the  best  time  to  put  a 
young  mare  to  the  horse.  If  a  mare  is  taken  in  Febru- 
ary or  March,  the  offspring  is  said  to  be  particularly 
hardy.  Some  breed  in  autumn,  that  the  mare  may  work 
all  summer.     The  ninth  day  after  foaling  is  the  surest 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  40 

time  for  conception.  A  mare  will  breed  every  year ;  and 
the  best  results  are  derived  by  frequent  breeding.  After 
a  mare  is  fifteen  years  old,  her  foal  is  apt  to  be  weak, 
unless  bred  with  a  young  stallion. 

Working  mares  are  more  liable  to  be  good  breeders 
than  ones  that  are  kept  in  idleness.  It  is  always  surer 
to  have  mares  bred  at  home.  If  the  mare  is  taken  to 
the  stallion,  it  is  best  if  she  is  driven  there  before  the 
time  of  heat,  and  not  driven  home  immediately  after 
being  served.  If  a  mare  refuses  a  horse,  the  prevailing 
way  is  to  turn  them  loose  in  a  pasture  together,  and  in  a 
short  time  the  desired  result  is  obtained.  A  mare  carries 
her  foal  from  eleven  to  fourteen  months.  An  important 
rule  to  observe  is,  never  to  take  a  tired  mare  to  the  horse. 
In  the  morning,  when  both  have  full  vigor  after  the 
night's  rest,  is  the  best  time. 


TREATMENT 

OP 
MARE  IN  POAL 


A  mare  with  foal  must  not  be  chased, 
frightened,  exposed  to  weather,  overfed, 
overworked,  allowed  to  smell  blood,  or 
excited,  or  she  is  liable  to  ''slip*'  her  foal.  If  she  does 
this  once,  extra  precaution  must  be  taken  or  she  will  do 
it  again.  A  brood  mare  accustomed  to  work  will  be 
benefited   if  kept  at  work  until   a  short  time  before 


FEEDINQ  THE 

MARBANDTHE 

STALLION 


60  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

foaling.      She  must  not  be  strained,   overworked,  or 
allowed  to  drink  very  cold  water  when  heated. 

Feed  the  stallion  liberally  with  the  best 
food.  Oats,  hay,  beans,  grass  and  Pratts 
Food,  Pratts  Animal  Regulator  or  Pratts 
Condition  Powder  are  all  that  is  necessary.  The  mare 
should  be  fed  a  trifle  larger  ration  than  before,  and  the 
meals  be  more  frequent.  The  best  foods  are  clover  hay, 
bran,  oats,  linseed,  carrots,  etc.,  with  Pratts  Remedies  as 
mentioned  above.  Never  feed  rye  to  mares  in  foal. 
Give  plenty  of  pure,  clean  water. 


IMPOTENCY 


Impotency  in  mares  is  usually  caused  by 
overfeeding.  They  should  be  regularly 
fed  Pratts  Food,  Pratts  Animal  Regulator  or  Pratts 
Condition  Powder,  and  their  other  ration  reduced.  In 
stallions  it  is  usually  caused  by  lack  of  exercise.  Good 
food  and  exercise  are  necessary  to  keep  them  in  condi- 
tion. Pratts  Remedies  as  mentioned  above  are  invalu- 
able for  all  stallions,  and  rectify  impotency  in  both 
mares  and  stallions. 


In-and-in     breeding     consists    in     mat- 
ing   horses    of    close    relationship ;     it 
is     done     to     insure     and     perpetuate 
certain     qualities.      Crossing  is     the     union    of    two 


IN-AND-IN 
BRBEDINQ. 

CROSSINQ 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  61 

distinct  breeds,  that  the  good  qualities  of  each  may  be 
found  in  the  ofifspring.  To  do  either  requires  much 
skill  and  judgment  on  the  part  of  the  breeder. 


HOW  TO 

TELL  A  MARE 

IN  POAL 


The  usual  way  to  tell  if  a  mare  is  in  foal 
is  to  take  a  rope  or  strap  and  measure 
around  the  girth  where  the  harness  goes 

on  the  back  and  the  \ 

belly  band  buckles  on ;  |PBB^      |||     s^ 

then  measure  just  in 

front  of  the  hind  legs 

around  the  body.     If 

the  last  measurement 

is  the  larger,  the  mare 

.^,      -      -  MEASURING  TO  SEK  IF  A  MARS 

IS  With  toal.  IS  IN  FOAL. 


FOALING  I  ^^  ^^^  ^^^^  approaches  for  foaling,  the 
I  mare  should  be  placed  in  a  good-sized 
box  stall,  the  floor  of  which  is  heavily  covered  with 
straw.  The  time  of  foaling  can  be  foretold  by  the  sink- 
ing of  the  flanks,  the  dropping  of  the  belly  and  the  en- 
larged udder,  which,  if  milked,  will  produce  a  white  fluid. 
Foaling  with  a  mare  is  a  prompt  act,  and,  if  the  mare  is 
in  good  condition,  should  require  no  interference  or 


62  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

assistance.  The  usual  cause  of  trouble  is  when  the  foal 
is  in  the  wrong  position.  The  head  and  forefeet  should 
come  first.  It  requires  skill  to  assist  a  mare  in  delivery, 
and  no  one  but  an  expert  should  attempt  it.  High- 
bred animals  require  more  attention  than  the  ordinary- 
horses.  After  foaling,  quiet,  cleanliness  and  good  food 
are  all  that  is  required.  If  the  belly  of  the  mare  is  very 
large,  it  should  be  carefully  bandaged.  Nature,  if 
allowed  to  take  its  course,  will  result  favorably  if  not 
interfered  with.  Warm  gruel  and  a  little  hay  should  be 
given  the  mare  after  foaling. 


CARE  OP 

MARB  AND 

COLT 


The  mare  usually  attends  to  the  colt  by 
instinct  at  once,  allowing  it  to  suck  and 
licking  it  dry.  If  she  refuses  to  own  it, 
rub  some  of  the  mare's  milk  on  the  colt's  nose  ;  then  let 
the  mare  smell  it,  and  she  will  own  it  at  once.  The 
food  of  the  mare  should  be  nourishing,  and  consist  of 
plenty  of  grass,  oats,  bran,  carrots  and  frequently  warm 
mashes.  She  needs  nourishing  and  concentrated  food, 
with  plenty  of  good  water  and  the  proper  quantity  of 
Pratts  Food,  Pratts  Animal  Regulator  or  Pratts  Condi- 
tion Powder.  See  that  the  udder  is  in  a  good  condition 
and  not  inflamed.     The  mare  should  not  be  put  to  work 


PRATTS  TOINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  63 

at  once,  and  when  first  used  should  have  light  work  for 
a  time. 


TO  PRODUCE 
MILK 


If  a  suckling  mare  puts  on  much  flesh 
and  gives  very  little  milk,  give  her  a  diet 
of  bran  and  crushed  oats.  This  is  an  ex- 
cellent and  easy  remedy.  Pratts  Food,  Pratts  Animal 
Regulator  or  Pratts  Condition  Powder  should  also  be 
given  regularly,  as  they  not  only  enrich  the  milk,  but 
also  increase  the  quantity. 


TO  INSURE 
HEALTHY 

MARES  AND 
STALLIONS 


Brooding  mares  and  stallions  are  particu- 
larly benefited  by  the  regular  and  con- 
stant use  of  Pratts  Food,  Pratts  Animal 
Regulator  or  Pratts  Condition  Powder.  The  profit  in 
feeding  them  under  these  circumstances  can  hardly  be 
calculated.  The  stallion  is  kept  robust  and  healthy,  his 
blood  pure,  digestion  good  and  bowels  regular,  his 
service  surer  and  his  offspring  stronger.  The  mare  will 
be  kept  in  perfect,  healthy  condition,  the  colt  well  nour- 
ished, both  before  and  after  foaling,  and  the  delivery 
and  all  after-effects  healthy,  while  the  colt  will  be  strong 
and  have  good  appetite.  Pratts  remedies  insure  a  good 
quantity  of  milk  of  excellent  quality.  The  ingredients 
being  roots,  herbs  and  barks,  they  can  be  fed  freely 
without  any  bad  effects. 


64 


PRATT S  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

CHAPTER  VII. 


THE  COLT. 

Careful  attention  must  be  given  to  the  colt  from 
the  time  of  its  birth.  It  should  have  proper  stabling, 
good   food,  and  exercise,   be  accustomed   to  handling 


■o...  - 

NEGI^ECTED    COI,T. 

from  the  first  and  not  excited  or  frightened.  As  the 
colt  is  reared,  so  the  horse  will  be  ;  and  no  good  horse 
can  be  raised  from  a  neglected  colt. 


STABLINQ   I    '^^^  ^^^^  should  not  run  with  the  mare, 
I    but  be  kept  in  a  paddock  in  favorable 


weather  with  access  to  a  good  box  stall,  in  which  it 
should  always  be  confined  at  night.     The  paddock  must 


PRATTS  POINTERS  Ohl  THE  HORSE  66 

be  well  fenced  and  contain  nothing  that  will  injure  the 
playful  foal.  The  stall  should  be  bedded  heavily  with 
straw  or  sawdust,  and  kept  in  a  perfectly  clean  condi- 
tion. It  must  also  be  free  from  anything  to  injure  the 
colt ;  and  contain  nothing  but  a  manger  for  grain,  and  a 
vessel  containing  good,  clean  water.  Never  allow  the 
colt  to  be  exposed  to  the  rain,  excessive  heat  or  flies, 
and  never  let  them  lie  on  a  hard  floor,  as  it  is  liable  to 
injure  their  feet.  It  is  always  best  to  keep  colts  away 
from  all  other  animals. 


EXERCISE  I    ^^^^cise  is  necessary  for  the  proper  de- 
velopment of  colts  ;  and  as  nature  has 


given  them  a  playful  disposition,  they  ought  not  to  be 
hampered  in  any  way  from  using  their  legs  and  bodies. 
It  is  the  confinement  of  colts  in  dark,  poorly  ventilated 
and  frequently  dirty  stables  that  causes  so  many  stunted 
and  scrubby  horses  to  be  seen. 


FEEDING  AND  |    Colts  should  be  wcaucd  when  they  are 
wEANiNo     I    £j.Qjjj  £q^j.  ^q  £^g  months  old.     If  latet 

than  that  it  hurts  the  mare,  and  does  not  improve  the 
colt.  All  colts  should  be  fed  from  the  time  they  are 
four  weeks  old  with  bran,  crushed  oats,  mixed  with  a 
small  quantity  of  Pratts  Food.     They  take  very  readily 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


MARE  AND  COI^T. 


to  this  food  and  it  makes  weaning  easier.     The  mare 

should  be  brought  to  the 

colt  three  times  a  day  till 

the  colt  is  four  weeks  old, 

then  twice  a  day  will  be 

sufficient.     Of  course,  the 

night  is  spent    together, 

either  in  a  paddock  or,  if 

the  weather  is  bad,  in  a 

well-bedded  and  large  box 

stall.     There  must  always 

be  a  supply  of  grain,  fresh  hay  and  clean  water  in  the 

stall  for  the  colt.     The  food  of  colts  should  be  gradually 

increased.     The  more  grain  eaten  by  the  colt,  the  better 

it  is  for  the  mare,  and  it  facilitates  weaning. 

When  the  time  for  weaning  comes,  separate  the 
mare  and  colt  so  that  they  cannot  see  or  hear  each 
other  ;  and  by  kindness  and  gentleness  the  colt  will  soon 
eat  whatever  is  placed  before  it,  and  in  a  few  days  will 
entirely  forget  its  mother.  Feed  well  ;  the  colt  must 
never  be  hungry.  Clover  hay,  bran,  oats,  with  a  few 
potatoes,  apples  and  carrots  now  and  then,  will  make 
them  grow  rapidly.  Feed  to  produce  strong  limbs,  good 
joints  and  a  solid  body.  Do  not  feed  too  much  hay,  but 
keep  the  colt  round  and  shapely.     The  feet  can  be  kept 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


67 


straight  with  a  rasp, 
the  oats. 


If  a  colt  is  very  nervous,  decrease 


DRYING 
THE  MARE 


If  the  mare's  udder,  after  the  foal  is 
weaned,  becomes  full,  is  inflamed  and 
liable  to  cake,  it  should  be  milked  out 

once  or  twice  a  day.     She  should  be  fed  straw,  have 

less  water;  and  soft  soap  can  be  rubbed  on  the  udder. 

The  mare  is  now  ready  for  harder  work,  and  for  a  short 

time  ought  to  be  fed  with  dry  food. 


HANDLING 
THE  FOAL 


A  colt  that  has  never  been  frightened, 
and  has  been  accustomed  to  handling, 
can  be  easily  approached  to  have  its  body 
and  legs  rubbed  frequently.  The  mane,  tail  and  fetlock 
can  also  be  gently  combed.  As  soon  as  the  colt  finds  that 
no  harm  is  done  to  it,  it  gains  confidence,  and  this  is 
a  great  assistance  when  the  time  comes  for  training. 
Never  shout  at  the  colt.  Gentleness,  with  a  lump  of 
sugar  or  an  apple,  will  do  more  good  than  a  whip. 


HOW  TO  KEEP 

COLTS 

HEALTHY 


A  colt  can  be  kept  in  a  healthy  condition 
and  cause  little  or  no  trouble,  by  the 
constant  feeding  of  Pratts  Food,  Pratts 
Animal  Regulator  or  Pratts  Condition  Powder.  At  first 
about  a  tablespoonful  should  be  mixed  with  its  feed, 


68 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


gradually  increasing  the  quantity  as  the  colt  grows  olden 
It  will  not  only  insure  health,  but  full  growth,  free  from 
diseases  of  all  kinds  and  a  strong  and  sturdy  horse  will 
be  the  result. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

BREAKING   AND  TRAINING. 

A  colt's  education  should  begin  at  its  birth;  nothing 

is  more  senseless  than  to 
allow  a  colt  to  run  wild  and 
unrestrained  until  he  is  de- 
sired for  use,  then  by  brute 
strength  and  the  whip  com- 
pel him  to  serve  you.  By 
this  means  the  spirit  of  the 
colt  is  broken,  and  a  dull 
and  listless,  or  vicious,  horse 


VICIOUS  HORSB. 


is  the  result,  according  to  the  nature  of  the  animal. 


NATURAL 
TRAITS 


A  horse  is  naturally  patient,  proud  and 
willing  to  obey,  if  he  understands  that 
which  he  is  required  to  do.  In  fact  all 
his  apparent  excitement  and  worry  is  caused  by  fear, 
generally  the  result  of  not  knowing  what  he  is  expected 


PR/4TTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


09 


to  do,  consequently  that  is  the  first  thing  to  overcome. 
A  horse  is  unaware  of  its  strength,  unless  by  improper 
handling  he  learns  his  power,  then  its  future  usefulness 
is  ruined,  and  only  by  the  most  careful  training  can  he 
be  redeemed. 


BREAKING  TO 

HALTER  AND 

BIT 


As  stated  previously,  from  the  time  of  its 
birth,  the  colt  should  be  handled  daily, 
its  feet  lifted  and  patted,  and  its  mane, 
fetlock  and  tail  gently  combed,  until  it  becomes  per- 
fectly accustomed  to  it  and  devoid  of  all  fear.  It  should 
be  talked  to  and  praised,  and 
whenever  it  does  a  thing  well 
reward  it  with  a  lump  of  sugar, 
etc.  A  colt  must  learn  one  thing 
at  a  time  ;  if  you  teach  it  many 
things,  it  will  do  none  right. 
After  it  has  learned  one  thing 
well  teach  it  another.  Very  few 
people  know  the  value  of  talking 
to  a  colt.  A  horse  is  intelligent, 
and  one  that  understands  what  is 

said  will  prevent  trouble  if  ever  in  a  dangerous  pre- 
dicament. A  colt  should  be  taught  to  wear  a  halter 
when  two  weeks  old.      Let  it  smell  and  see  it  first,  then 


COI,T  DEVOID  OF  FEAR, 


60 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


put  it  on,  leaving  it  there  but  a  few  minutes.  Kveiy 
day  leave  it  on  longer  and  in  a  short  time  a  strap  or  rope 
can  be  attached  ;  and  it  can  be  led. 

After  the  colt  becomes  accustomed  to  the  halter,  the 
use  of  the  bit  can  be  taught.  A  good  plan  consists  of 
attaching  to  the  halter  a  bit  made  of  licorice  root.  The 
colt  likes  this  root  and  won't  object  to  it  being  in  its 
mouth;  and  from  the  use  of  this,  to  a  smooth  steel  bit  is 
merely  a  question  of  time  and  patience.  Never  leave 
the  bit  in  longer  than  a  half-hour  at  a  time  when  first 

teaching.  The  halter 
alone  should  be  used 
principally  until  the  colt 
is  six  months  old.  The 
great  principle  in  training 
is  that  the  process  should 
be  gradual.  After  the  bit 
is  familiar  to  the  colt, 
attach  reins  and  let  it  run 
by  the  mother's  side.  This  is  one  of  the  best  ways  of 
teaching.  At  first  it  will  be  very  shy,  but  with  kind- 
ness and  encouragement  it  will  soon  be  familiar  to  the 
noises  of  the  carriage  and  restraint  of  the  lines.  This 
should  be  repeated  until  no  fear  whatever  is  displayed. 
Above  everything  have  the  harness  strong.      If  a  colt 


COLT  DRI\^N  AT  MOTHER'S  SIDE. 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  m 

once  breaks  its  halter,  it  will  try  it  again.  Colts  soon 
learn  to  pull ;  and  everything  must  be  tight  and  firm. 
Never  use  a  check  rein  when  training  a  colt.  The 
reason  that  colts  fret  when  in  harness  is  on  account  of 
the  itching  it  causes  to  their  skin.  To  remedy  this, 
leave  the  harness  on  only  a  short  time  at  first ;  and 
gently  rub  the  pressed  skin  after  unharnessing.  Don't 
think  that  any  harness  will  do  for  a  colt ;  it  must  not 
only  be  strong,  but  should  fit  in  every  respect. 


THE 
TRAINER 


The  best  trainer  is  the  owner,  and  the 
man  must  be  patient,  good-tempered, 
kind  and  never  allow  himself  to  be  ex- 


OWNER  ON  HORSE. 


BAD  TRAINING. 


cited.     An  ill-tempered  man  will  spoil  any  colt.    Abuse 
should  never  tolerated.     A  colt  never  forgets  if  he  is 


62 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


whipped  or  frightened  in  his  first  lessons,  and  no  one 
should  be  allowed  to  be  among  the  colts  unless  he  is 
gentle  and  kind,  both  in  voice  and  manner. 


TRAININQ 

TO 

WAGON 


After  a  horse  understands  the  use  of  the 
bit  and  has  been  taught  to  stop  at  a  word, 
he  can  be  attached,  with  his  mother,  to  a 
light  wagon.  Of  course  this  must  not  be  done  until  the 
colt's  strength  will  stand  the  strain.  After  it  goes  well 
in  double  harness,  it  can  be  trained  to  go  single.  Teach 
the  colt  to  stop  at  a  single  word,  to  back  as  willingly  as 
to  go  forward,  to  stand  perfectly  still  while  any  one  is 
entering  or  leaving  the  carriage,  stand  still  when  being 

harnessed  or  unharnessed,  and 
to  be  a  good,  quick  walker. 
The  latter  can  be  taught  by 
keeping  the  colt  from  break- 
ing into  a  trot  when  starting 
out.  The  colt  is  then  fresh  and 
anxious  to  go  ;  restrain  the 
trot  and  a  brisk  walk  will  be 
the  result.  By  following  this 
daily  the  colt  will  soon  become  a  first-class  walker,  and 
its  value  will  be  greatly  increased.  One  of  the  best  ways 
to  teach  a  colt  to  leap  is  to  place  a  low  obstacle  between 


COI^T  I^KAPING. 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  63 

the  colt  and  its  feed.  Call  the  colt  and  he  will  leap  the 
barrier.  Gradually  increase  the  height,  and  when  he  is 
old  enough  a  man  can  be  on  his  back.  Teach  a  colt  to 
come  to  you  by  calling.  He  will  do  so  if  never  fright- 
ened. This  saves  much  annoyance  when  the  colt  be- 
comes a  full-grown  horse. 


THE  COLT'S 
FEET 


From  birth  the  feet  should  be  lifted  and 
patted.  Care  must  be  taken  that  the 
hoofs  do  not  grow  too  long.     Keep  them 

level  with  a  rasp.      Do  not  have  colts  shod  too  early. 

For  further  information  see  chapter  on  "Shoeing  and 

Care  of  the  Feet." 


When  a  colt  shies,  he  usually  does  it  from 
fear.     Talk  to  him,  drive  up  close  to  the 


object,  and  when  he  sees  no  harm  is  done,  he  can  be 
easily  driven  by.  A  colt  should  be  taught  from  the  first 
to  be  indifferent  to  all  city  noises,  steam  cars,  trolley  cars, 
bicycles,  etc. 


Sometimes  you  will  find  a  brute  by  na- 
ture, or  made  so  by  bad  handling.     We 
will  here  give  a  system  to  break  vicious 
horses  that  has  never  failed,  and  there  is  no  danger  of 


HOW  TO 

BREAK  VICIOUS 

HORSES 


e4 


FRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


injuring  them  ;  sometimes  in  an  hour  you  can  drive  tlie 
worst  horses  to  a  buggy. 

Take  a  short  hold  of  the  halter  with  the  left  hand  and 
the  hair  of  the  tail  with  the  right,  give  him  short  whirls 

around  to  the  left.  He  may  be 
a  little  lively,  but  a  little  man- 
agement will  soon  give  you 
hold  of  the  tail  ;  then  tie  a  firm 
knot  in  the  hair  close  to  the 
fleshy  end  of  the  tail.  Run 
the  end  of  the  halter  through 
the  tail  above  the  knot;  tie  with 
half  loop,  which  can  be  untied 
by  catching  the  end  of  the 
halter  ;  this  can  be  done  when 
the  horse  is  whirling  around, 
by  a  little  practice  ;  as  soon  as 
tied,  let  him  go.  He  is  now  hitched  to  himself;  the  more 
lively  he  is  the  quicker  he  will  dance,  and  sometimes  will 
get  dizzy  and  fall,  but  he  will  get  up  again  and  go  on. 
Keep  him  moving  with  a  cracking  whip  until  he  wants 
to  stop  and  rest;  shorten  the  halter  and  start  him  again. 
If  he  falls  when  tied  short,  you  may  have  to  untie  him 
before  he  can  get  up,  and  then  tie  again,  which  is  not 
often  necessary  ;  he  cannot  hurt  himself. 


TRAINING  VICIOUS  HORSES. 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  66 

After  he  has  been  somewhat  subdued,  to  take  the  first 
friskiness  and  kick  out  of  him,  take  a  smooth  hickory  pole 
about  ten  feet  long,  touch  him  smartly  on  the  sides,  be- 
tween the  legs,  against  his  heels,  under  his  tail,  and  all 
his  tender  spots,  making  it  appear  like  the  whiffle-tree 
against  his  heels,  traces  between  his  legs,  line  under  the 
tail,  etc.  The  horse  being  tied  head  and  tail  and  kept 
going  around  and  around,  each  point  must  be  finished 
before  another  is  taken  up — that  is,  when  he  will  beat 
these  tests  in  one  location,  try  another,  until  he  will  bear 
it  without  kicking.  The  amount  that  he  will  bear  be- 
fore he  gives  up  depends  on  his  disposition.  Well-bred 
horses  fight  the  sharpest  and  give  up  the  quickest.  He 
can  now  be  ridden — the  rider  jumping  on  the  off  side 
and  reaching  over  and  catching  hold  of  the  halter  ;  when 
the  horse  quits  whirling  straddle  him  and  untie  the 
halter. 

We  never  saw  a  horse  buck,  or  which  could  not  be 
ridden  with  the  halter,  after  this  training.  After  riding, 
he  may  be  harnessed  and  driven  in  single  harness,  when 
the  same  tests  by  pole  may  be  applied,  followed  with 
hitching  to  wagon  and  the  usual  steps  we  have  given 
for  breaking  colts.  At  the  least  sign  of  viciousness  take 
him  out  and  head-and-tail  him  again.  This  system  is 
recommended  for  not  only  taking  the  kick  out  of  vicious 


ee  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

horses,  but  is  equally  good  for  balky  animals.  It  will 
subdue  the  worst  brute.  In  case  he  is  very  bad,  give 
him  a  short  dance  each  morning  for  a  month  before 
hitching  him  up,  to  be  sure  none  of  the  trait  remains. 


I    The  whip  never  made  a  good  horse.    The 
whip  should  only  be  used  on  stubborn  or 

kicking  colts.-  They  should  have  a  few  sharp  cuts 
across  the  hind  legs.  Whip  just  enough  to  break  their 
bad  disposition  and  respect  authority.  A  colt  should 
never  be  whipped  over  the  body.  Speak  sharply  to 
stubborn  colts,  use  the  whip  carefully,  make  them  obey 
quickly ;  but  caress  and  reward  them  when  they  do  what 
is  right.  Never  leave  a  whipped  colt  until  he  is  quieted 
down. 


HOW  TO  PRE- 
VENT A  HORSE 

KICKING 
IN  THE  STALL 


If  a  horse  kicks  in  the  stall  from  nervous- 
ness, always  speak  to  him  as  you  step  up 
behind  him.  If  he  is  wicked,  head-and- 
tail  him  and  give  him  a  dance,  as  before  mentioned. 
When  you  step  up  to  go  in  the  stall  tell  him  to  stand 
over,  sharply.  Watch  your  chance,  slip  in  quickly,  and 
take  hold  of  the  halter.  You  must  not  do  this  until  you 
see  him  quail  under  your  eye.  If  the  horse  is  treacher- 
ous, better  have  a  looped  cord  over  his  nose,  running 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  67 

back  out  of  the  stall,  and  as  you  step  up  and  speak,  give 
it  a  jerk,  whicli  will  give  you  a  chance  to  slip  in.  Do 
not  show  the  least  fear  of  him  under  any  circumstances. 


HOW  TO  5T0P 
A  HORSe 

PULLING  ON  A 
HALTER 


Pulling  on  the  halter  comes  from  being 
hitched  with  too  slight  a  halter.  When 
a  horse  breaks  away  he  will  try  it  again, 
and  if  he  breaks  away  once  or  twice  it  will  be  a  fixed 
habit.  Take  a  half-inch  rope,  double  it,  and  place  the 
double  end  under  his  tail  in  form  of  a  crupper  ;  crossing 
the  two  ends  over  his  back,  and  carrying  them  one  ou 
each  side  of  neck  through  the  halter  rings,  hitch  to  the 
manger  or  post ;  one  or  two  pulls  will  be  enough  for 
him.     You  will  have  no  further  trouble. 


HOW  TO  PRE- 
VENT A  ijORSE 
KICKING  WHILE 
SHOEING  OR 
GkOOniNG 


A  curry-comb  often  hurts  a  thin-skinned 
horse,  and  should  be  used  as  little  as  pos- 
sible on  an  animal  of  this  kind.  If  it  is 
from  wickedness,  tie  a  cord  around  his  neck,  and  pass  a 
loop  around  his  lower  jaw,  holding  the  other  end  while 
grooming.  At  every  attempt  to  kick  and  bite  give  it  a 
sharp  pull,  and  he  will  soon  give  it  up.  It  is  harder  to 
break  a  sensitive  horse  in  handling  his  feet.  Never  take 
a  horse  of  this  kind  to  a  smith's  shop  to  have  him  trained; 


68  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

teach  him  at  home  to  have  his  feet  handled  and  rasped  o». 
If  he  is  vicious,  head-and-tail  him  and  give  him  a  dance^ 
then  teach  him  to  have  his  fore  feet  handled,  sticking  to 
each  one  until  he  yields.  If  he  is  stubborn,  give  him  an- 
other dance.  Sometimes  by  strapping  up  a  fore  leg  they 
will  allow  their  feet  to  be  handled ;  then,  again,  by  merely 
tying  the  tips  of  their  ears  together  will  break  them.  A 
horse  cannot  think  of  two  things  at  once,  and  by  attract- 
ing his  attention  to  something  else  you  can  often  accom- 
plish your  purpose. 


HOW 

TO  PREVENT 

RUNNING-AWAY 

HABIT 


The  first  thing  to  do  with  a  horse  of  this 
kind  is  to]  teach  him  to  pay  attention  to 
the  bit  and  commands  of  the  driver  under 
all  circumstances.  To  do  this,  put  him  into  single  har- 
ness, placing  the  lines  through  the  lugs  of  the  thills  in- 
stead of  the  turrets,  so  he  cannot  turn  his  face  toward 
you.  Now  drill  him  for  an  hour  each  day  for  a  month, 
turning  to  the  right,  to  the  left,  backing,  going  ahead, 
and  stopping  instantly.  Turn  him  sharp,  and  short, 
and  back  again,  cracking  him  with  the  snapper  of 
the  whip.  Make  him  stop  short  at  the  word,  if  he 
does  not,  give  him  a  sudden  check;  he  will  soon  learn  to 
stop  at  once,  even  if  you  are  several  rods  away,  which 
will  give  you  control  of  him  at  all  times. 


BREAKING 
BALKY 
HORSES 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  60 

To  start  a  horse  when  balking,  we  give 
different  ways  ;  the  first  is  as  follows  : 
I.  Pat  a  horse  on  the  neck;  examine 
him  carefully,  first  on  one  side,  then  on  the  other, 
speaking  encouragingly  to  him;  then  jump  into  the  wag- 
on and  give  the  word  to  go,  and  he  will  generally  obey. 

2.  Another  way  is  by  taking  the  horse  out  of  the 
shafts  and  turning  him  around  in  a  circle  until  he  is 
giddy  ;  it  will  generally  start  him. 

3.  And  still  another  way  to  cure  a  balky  horse  is  : 
Place  your  hand  over  his  nose  and  shut  off  his  wind 
until  he  wants  to  go. 

4.  Then,  again,  you  can  take  a  couple  of  turns  of 
stout  twine  around  the  fore  leg  just  below  the  knee,  tight 
enough  for  the  horse  to  feel,  tie  in  a  bow-knot ;  at  the 
first  click  he  will  probably  go  dancing  off.  After  going  a 
short  distance  you  can  get  out  and  remove  the  string  to 
prevent  injury  to  the  tendons.  Again  you  can  try  the 
following  : 

5.  Take  the  tail  of  a  horse  between  the  hind  legs  and 
tie  it  by  a  cord  to  the  saddle-girth. 

6.  Often  by  tying  a  string  around  a  horse's  ear,  close 
to  the  head,  it  will  divert  his  attention  and  start  him. 


70  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

CHAPTER  IX. 

SHOEING  AND  CARE  OF  THE  FEET. 

More  money  is  annually  spent  in  doctoring  horses' 
feet  than  for  any  other  ailment  of 
their  bodies,  consequently  the  neces- 
sity of  sound  feet  in  all  horses  is  ap- 
parent. This  member,  though  seem- 
ingly  hard  and  callous,  is  in  reality 
delicate  and  sensitive.     It  is  won- 
derfully   made     and    particularly 
moe]  ( ^'  \^f  I  "^  jlf'*'*'^  adapted  for  the  service  it  is  intended 
to  perform.     The  foot  consists  of  a 
case  or  box,  enclosing  the  soft  deli- 
HORSE's  FOOT.        catc  parts.     It  is  capable  of  a  lim- 
ited amount  of  elasticity;  it  resists  shocks  and  is  a  bad 
conductor  of  heat. 

The  covering  of  the  foot  consists  of  the  wall  ot 
crust,  sole  and  frog,  and  each  has  its  particular  function. 
The  foot  is  easily  affected  by  hard  work  and  improper 
shoeing. 

I    The  sole  is  at  the  bottom  of  the  foot  and 
THE  SOLE 

I    has  a  V-shaped  opening  at  the  back  for 


the  froof.     The  thickness  varies,  but  in  most  horses  it  is 
about  one-sixth  of  an  inch.     It  is  concave.     The  sole  is 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  71 

trbrous,  but  much  softer  than  the  wall.  After  attaining 
a  certain  length,  the  fibres  break  off  in  the  form  of 
flakes.  The  sole  is  adapted  for  sustaining  weight  on 
soft  ground.  It  should  never  be  pared  or  cut  in  any  way 
whatever.  The  loose  flakes  serve  to  retain  moisture, 
and  help  to  reduce  shocks,  as  well  as  keeping  the  horn 
underneath  in  a  good  condition. 


A  GOOD 
FOOT 


A  good  foot  always  has  a  smooth  crust ; 
a  concave  sole,  not  too  hard ;  a  full  elastic 
frog  with  centre  complete  ;  and  the  heels 

low  and  free  from  crust.      The  darker 

the  hoof,  the  harder  it  is.      Shoes  are 

a  necessary  evil ;  and,  if  possible,  should 

not  be  worn.     The  only  reason  they 

are  used  is  to  prevent  the  undue  wear- 
ing and  breaking  of  the  wall.     They       a  good  foot 

should  always  be  as  light  as  possible, 

taking  into  consideration  the  weight  of  the  animal  and 

the  work  required  of  them. 


THP  PDfin  i    '^^^  ^^^^  ^^  ^^^  prominent  triangular  sub- 

I   stance  which  is  at  the  back  of  the  sole 

between  the  heels.    In  the  middle  of  it  is  a  fissure  called 

the  cleft.     The  frog  has  an  important  mission,  as  it  acts 


72  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

as  a  cushion  in  diminishing  shock,  and  it  also  prevents 
slipping.  The  frog  is  composed  of  elastic  fibrous  horn, 
and  breaks  off  in  flakes.  It  should  always  be  on  the 
ground,  and  never  pared  or  cut.  This  cushion,  always 
resting  on  the  ground,  keeps  the  feet  sound.  The  more 
the  frog  is  exposed  the  sounder  it  becomes.  The  sole 
and  frog  need  no  protection,  and  the  loose  flakes  act  as 
springs  when  walking  on  stones. 

The  fore  foot  of  the  horse  is  the  most  important,  as  it 
supports  more  weight  and  is  exposed  to  more  wear. 


THE  WALL 


The   wall   or   crust  sustains  weight,   is 

fibrous,  and  extends  from  the  skin  to  the 

ground.  The  front  is  called  the  toe  and  the  back  the 
heel.  It  is  about  one-half  inch  thick 
in  front  and  about  one-quarter  inch  at 
the  back.  The  wall  grows  very  rap- 
idly. Horses,  that  are  unshod,  keep 
the  wall  worn  down,  but  shod  horses 
beIn  ON  Too^oNG.  should  frcqucutly  have  the  shoes  taken 
oflf,  that  the  excessive  growth  can  be 
removed.  The  wall,  on  account  of  its  fibrous  nature,  is 
well  adapted  to  hold  the  nails  used  in  shoeing,  and, 
when  looked  at  from  the  side,  should  form  an  angle  of 
45^  to  50°  with  the  line  of  the  sole. 


CLEANING 
THE  FEET 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  73 

It  is  the  practice  in  some  stables  to  wash 
and  examine  the  horses'  feet  every  morn- 
ing. The  feet  should  always  be  cleaned 
out  when  the  day ' s  work  is  done.  Road  horses  suffer  from 
dry  and  hard  feet.  They  should  have  frequent  runs  in 
pasture,  and  the  feet  well  soaked  in  water.  This  will 
keep  them  healthy  and  soft. 


THE  COLT'S 
FEET 


Wherever  a  number  of    colts    are    to- 
gether, the  observer  is  astonished  at  the 
large  majority  of  them  having  bad  legs 
and  feet,  especially  the  toe  deviated  inward  or  outward. 
»  ,     -  J  These    deformities 

Wb      JB       VHIl      J^^B/      W   ^^^  ^^ny  otherwise 
W'^'»-  WBk     OP^i  M   good  horses    out  of 

O^  vI3  t3  cy   ^^^^^^^^^^^^-  ^^^^^ 

defects    are   s  o  m  e  - 

TOES  DEVIATING  INWARD  AND  OUTWARD. 

times  due  to  natural 
formation  and  can  never  be  remedied;  but  many  of  the 
defects  are  caused  by  neglect  of  the  colt.  The  colt's  feet 
should  be  carefully  watched  from  its  birth,  and  if  proper 
attention  is  given  while  the  foot  is  growing,  a  better  and 
sounder  horse  will  be  the  result.  Frequently  not  only 
the  hoof  is  deformed,  but  the  bones  are  affected  by  the 
uneven  wear  of  the  wall.     It  can  be  readily  seen  that  if 


74  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

one  side  is  worn  off  more  quickly  than  the  other,  the 
foot  becomes  unbalanced,  and  the  weight  of  the  animal 
causes  the  bones,  which  are  now  soft,  to  be  changed  in 
their  axes. 

If  the  inner  side  is  worn  oflf  more  rapidly  than  the 
outer,  the  greater  weight  is  supported  on  the  inner  side 
and  the  toe  is  turned  outwards  ;  while   if  the   greater 
weight  is  on  the  outer  side,  the  toe  is  turned 
inward.      The   weight   should    always   be 
distributed  evenly  over  the  bottom  of  the 
foot. 

As  stated  previously,  the  colt's  foot 
should  be  rasped,  not  pared,  and  kept  level. 
These  little  details,  which  require  such  a 
small  outlay  of  time,  are  the  ones  that  are 
important,  and   make   the  horse  valuable.      weight 

PROPERLY 

Frequent  exercise  is  necessary  for  the  proper  distributed. 
strengthening  of  the  feet. 

A  colt's  foot  should  be  as  round  as  possible,  with  an 
angle  of  from  45°  to  50°  at  the  front  and  6^°  to  68°  at 
the  back.  It  should  be  narrower  at  the  hairs  than 
below.  The  heels  should  be  well  separated,  vertical  and 
about  equal  to  one-half  of  the  length  of  the  toe.  Concave 
sole  and  hard  elastic  frog,  with  the  horn  a  dark  color  is 
preferable. 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


75 


HOT  WATER 

FOR 

THE  FEET 


Hot  water  and  Pratts  Peerless  Hoof  Oint- 
ment are  excellent  for  inflamed  injuries 
of  the  feet.  Place  feet  in  hot  water  of 
even  temperature  for  an  hour  morning  and  evening. 
When  the  foot  is  removed  from  the  water,  apply  Pratts 
Peerless  Hoof  Ointment  to  the  injury.  Another  excel- 
lent remedy  to  reduce  inflammation  when  the  horses  are 
feverish  is  to  stand  them  in  mud  up  to  the  fetlocks. 


SHOEING 
THE  COLT 


As  long  as  the  colt's  feet  are  strong 
and  tough  he  can  be  worked  without 
being  shod.     When  the  hoof  breaks  and 

the  feet  become  tender,  have  him  shod 

with  tips.     Have  the  wall  made  level 

with  a  rasp,  and  on  no  condition  allow 

the  sole  or  frog  to  be  interfered  with  or 

cut.     Two  nails  on  each  side  are  all 

that  is  required.      Horses  with  good 

sound  natural  feet  can,  with  care,  go 

without  shoes. 

Tips. 


We  are  happy  to  say  that  shoeing  in  the 
last  few  years  has  become   more  of  an 
art,  and  the  shoes  become  a  benefit  to 
many  horses,  instead  of  an  injury.     Horses  have  been 


SHOEING 
THE  HORSE 


76  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

shod  from  the  earliest  period,  but  many  changes  have 
taken  place  in  the  shape  and  size  of  the  shoe.  Every 
year  the  shoe  becomes  lighter  and  more  adapted  to  the 
foot.  The  shoe  must  fit  the  foot  and  not 
the  foot  the  shoe.  Horses  feet  differ  in 
formation.  The  Shire  horse  is  flat  and 
low-heeled,  while  the  Arab  is  high- 
heeled  and  contracted.  An  imshod  foot  hoof  made  to 
of  a  good  young  horse  should  be  taken  ^^^^  ^"^  ^^°^' 
as  a  type.  We  will  try  to  give  some  important  rules  in 
a  brief  manner. 

Every  part  of  a  horses  foot  has  its  use,  and  sustains 
a  certain  amount  of  weight,  which  must  be  remembered 
when  shoeing. 

The  shoe  should  be  so  con- 
structed that  it  follows  the  grad- 
ual curvature  of  the  wall  of  the 
foot,   giving   the   frog   plenty  of 
_    ^  room  to  perform  its  function. 

COr^T'S  FOOT— TlTE.  ^ 

It  should  fit  precisely  and  un- 
der no  consideration  should  the  foot  be  pared  or  rasped 
down  to  fit  the  shoe. 

If  the  shoe  fits  too  closely  at  the  frog,  it  prevents 
the  action  of  the  frog  and  causes  contraction.  The 
horse  should  be  shod  once  a  month.     If  this  is  done 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


TT 


BAD   NAILING. 


all  that  is  necessary  is  to  level  the  bottom  crust  of  the 
wall  of  the  foot.    No  scooping  of  the 
sole  or  cutting  the  frog  is  needed,  as 
it  will  cause  lameness. 

Use  the  very  best  drawn  nails  ; 
three  nails  on  a  side  are  all  that  is 
necessary.  Too  many  nails  are  injuri- 
ous, and  do  not  allow  them  to  be 
tightly  clinched.  See  that  the  nails  are  driven  so  that 
they  take  firm  hold  of  the  lower  walls  of  the  hoof  and 
away  from  the  sensitive  part.  The  shoes  must  possess  a 
level  surface  for  the  wall  to  rest  upon,  and  no  part  of  the 
sole  or  frog  need  touch  the  shoe.  A 
shoe  without  caulks  is  the  best ;  it 
should  be  of  the  same  thickness  all 
around  and  be  light.  The  shoe  should 
fit  the  hoof  so  closely  that  no  water 
can  get  between.  Don't  chop  or  rasp 
the  front  of  the  foot.  The  rasp  should 
only  be  used  on  bottom  crust.  Burn- 
ing the  sole  to  procure  a  fit  is  very  injurious.  The  heat 
drives  the  water  out  of  the  horny  substance  and  causes 
it  to  become  hard,  contracted  and  brittle.  Good  horse- 
shoers   never  burn  the  hoof  to   make  it  fit  the  shoe. 


FOOT  READY  FOR 
SHOE. 


78 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


Pratts  Peerless  Hoof  Ointment  will  prevent  or  overcome 
contraction.  Horses  that  interfere  must  first  be  exam- 
ined in  regard  to  position  of  the  foot  on  the  ground.  If 
low  on  the  inside,  they  should  be  raised  from  the  point  of 
the  toe  to  the  heel,  which  widens  their  gait.  Horses  for- 
aging should  be  shod  light  in  front,  and  heavy  behind. 


THRUSH  AND 

ITS 
TREATMENT 


It  is  a  foul  discharge  issuing  from  the 
cleft  of  the  frog,  attended  with  decay  of 
the  horn.  If  in  the  fore  feet,  it  is  gene- 
rally the  result  of  navicular  disease, 
or  contraction  of  the  feet.  The  foot 
feels  hot  and  hard  ;  there  is  a  slight 
moisture  in  the  centre  of  a  much- 
diminished  frog.  There  is  no  smell 
unless  a  piece  of  tow  is  inserted  into 
the  cleft  of  the  frog  and  withdrawn  ;  thrush. 

then  it  will  be  observed.  In  the  hind  feet  it  is  entirely 
caused  by  filthy  stables,  allowing  the  feet  to  stand  in 
decaying  manure.  It  is  very  offensive.  Pratts  Veteri- 
nary Liniment  will  quickly  cure  thrush.  Clean  out  the 
foot  and  pour  the  liniment  over  the  affected  parts.  How- 
ever, as  per  our  note  on  page  119,  to  mention  other 
remedies  besides  Pratts,  we  give  the  following :  Wash 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  79 

the  feet  thoroughly  with  chloride  of  zinc,  two  scruples  ; 
water,  one  pint.     Mix. 

Cut  all  the  ragged  parts  away,  and  the  white,  pow- 
dery, decayed  horn  and  substance,  even  if  the  flesh  is 
exposed  and  the  frog  reduced  ;  replace  shoe,  and  wash 
daily  with  chloride  of  zinc,  one  scruple  ;  water,  eight 
ounces.     Mix. 

Keep  the  feet  clean,  and  use  knife  to  remove  white 
substance  that  may  appear.  Treat  the  fore  feet  the  same 
way  ;  yet  it  is  not  always  advisable  to  cure  it.  If  caused 
by  navicular  disease,  or  contraction  of  the  feet,  the  horse 
will  go  lame.     Merely  retard  the  decay  of  the  horn. 


CORNS 


Corns  are  caused  by  bruises,  resulting  in 
horny  tumors  which  push  against  the 
soft  parts.  Never  cut  them  out,  as  this  will  cause  a  lack 
of  support  of  the  wall  of  the  foot,  and  serve  as  a  lodging- 
place  for  dust  and  stones,  and  is  liable  to  cause  separa- 
tion between  the  wall  and  sole.  The  part  of  the  heel 
aflfected  with  the  corn  should  be  lowered  and  a  side-caulk 
put  on  the  shoe.  This  relieves  the  part  from  pressure, 
and  keeps  the  foot  soft.  The  foot  should  also  be  treated 
with  applications  of  Pratts  Peerless  Hoof  Ointment  two 
or  three  times  daily  ;  cover  with  oakum  and  keep  in 
place  with  leathers. 


80 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


CANKER  AND 
ITS 

TREATMENT 


CANKER. 


Canker  is  very  much  like  thrush,  and 
rather  an  aggravated  form  of  it.  The 
discharge  is  more  abundant  and  more 
offensive.  It  always  commences  at  the  seat  of  the  thrush, 
but  spreads  over  the  sole.  There  will  be  large  quanti- 
ties of  horn  of  a  fungous  character 
which  flake  and  peel  off.  The  same 
causes  produce  it  that  produce 
thrush,  but  it  seems  to  be  more  con- 
stitutional. It  may  affect  one  foot 
or  all  of  the  feet.  Sometimes  the 
treatment  will  cure  all  feet  but  one, 
where  it  seems  to  remain  in  spite  of 
all  remedies.  Suddenly  that  foot  may  heal  quickly, 
and  the  horse  seem  sound,  when  it  will  break  out  in 
another  foot.  Pratts  Veterinary  Liniment  applied  every 
two  days  will  effect  a  cure.  However,  as  per  our  note 
on  page  119,  to  give  another  remedy,  we  mention  the 
following  :  Cut  away  every  portion  of  the  detached  and 
diseased  horn  as  is  possible,  and  apply  this  dressing  : 
Chloride  of  zinc,  one-half  ounce  ;  wheat  flour,  four 
ounces.     Mix.     Apply  to  the  foot  dry. 

Apply  to  the  sound  part  of  the  foot,  before  you 
dress  with  the  above,  the  following  :  Chloride  of  zinc, 
four  grains  ;  flour,  one  ounce.     Mix. 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


81 


Tack  on  the  shoe  and  pad  well  over  the  sole  ;  con- 
fine the  padding  by  pieces  of  iron  running  crosswise, 
with  ends  catching  under  the  shoe.  Repeat  cutting  and 
dressing  every  second  day.  As  the  parts  get  better, 
lessen  space  covered  by  the  strongest  dressing. 


SEEDY  TOE 


Is  the  separation  of  two  layers  of  horn 
forming  outside  cover  of  the  hoof.  It 
commences  at  the  toe,  and  can  be 
seen  when  the  shoe  is  off,  or  can  be 
detected  by  tapping  the  hoof,  which 
will  sound  hollow.  The  horse  must 
not  be  worked.  All  outside  portion 
of  the  hoof  that  has  separated  must 
be  cut  oflf  and  stuffed  with  tow  satu- 
rated with  Pratts  Peerless  Hoof  Ointment.  This  must 
be  done  every  two  weeks  until  the  new  hoof  has  grown 
out.     The  Ointment  will  quickly  grow  a  new  hoof. 


SEEDY  TOE. 


PUMICE  FOOT 

AND  ITS 
TREATMENT 


It  is  a  bulging  down  of  the  sole  of  the 
foot.  The  horse  will  walk  on  sole  instead 
of  the  wall.  Horses  with  long,  slanting, 
weak  pastern  hoofs,  marked  by  ringy  growths  of  brittle 
character,  flat  sole,  and  large,  healthy  frogs,  are  most 


82 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


liable  to  it.  The  most  success  can  be  had  by  attending 
the  shoeing,  yet  the  natural  weak- 
ness of  the  foot  cannot  be  changed. 
A  bar  shoe  should  be  prepared,  the 
web  covered  with  leather,  the  shoe 
nailed  on  with  double  the  quantity 
of  nails  generally  used,  but  smaller, 
leaving  a  bearing  on  the  back  part 
of  the  shoe  for  the  frog.  Soak  the  hoof  an  hour  twice 
each  day  in  a  warm  bath.  Stuflf  the  foot  with  tow  satu- 
rated with  Pratts  Peerless  Hoof  Ointment.  The  shoe 
should  be  changed  and  adapted  to  the  foot  as  it  changes 
and  improves. 


PUMICE  FOOT 


FALSE 
QUARTER 


False  quarter  consists  of  ribs  and  furrows 
usually  in  the  quarter  of  the  hoof.     It  is 
caused  by  deficient  secretion  depending 
upon  injury  and  destruction  of  the 
coronet    by    abscesses,   etc.      The 
horse  should  be  put  to  pasture  ;  the 
pressure  removed  from  the  injured 
part   by  reduction   of   ground   sur- 
FALSE  QUARTER.        face  of  thc  Wall,   and   a  bar  shoe 
should  be  applied,  utilizing  the  frog  as  a  weight  bearer. 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


83 


CONTRACTED 
FEET 


For  contracted  feet,  when  shoeing^,  see 
that  blacksmith  allows  the  proper  amount 
of  pressure  to  be  communicated  to  the  sole  bars  and  heel 
of  the  crust.  Of  course  the  frog  must  be  sound  as  well 
as  the  parts  above  it.  Wash  the  foot  and  apply  Pratts 
Peerless  Hoof  Ointment  daily  at  top  of  foot  both  inside 
and  outside.  After  hoof  becomes  pliable  spread  the 
heel  with  wedges  and  apply  the  Ointment  daily. 


TREATMENT  OP 
TREAD  AND 
OVER-REACH 


This  is  the  stepping  of  one  foot  on  the 
other,  often  resulting  in  wounding  the 
coronets  by  the  caulks.  Bathe  three 
times  a  day  with  chloride  of  zinc,  eight  grains  ;  water, 
eight  ounces.  Mix.  Protect  from  dirt  and  dust  by  a 
cloth. 


QUITTOR 


Quittor  is  a  chronic  abscess  of  the  foot,  the 
matter  forming  sinuses,  from  the  trouble 
of  finding  a  way  to  the  surface.     It  is  usually  caused  by 
a  bruise  of  the  sole,  from  a  nail  prick 
or  from  neglected  thrush.    An  open- 
ing will  be  formed  in  the  horn  or       JtfT  /I 
coronet,  from  which  a  foul  discharge        y^^Jhf,^    .  A 
issues,     A  dependent  opening  must 
be  made,  so  that  all  matter  can  escape. 
A  probe  must  be  passed  down  as  low            quixxor. 


84  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

as  possible,  and  the  sole  pared  away  until  the  end  is 
reached.  An  injection  of  a  saturated  solution  of  sulphate 
of  zinc  should  be  used  every  day.  Treatment  always 
has  to  depend  on  its  extent  and  nature. 


LAMINITIS 


Laminitis,  or  founder,  a  disease  of  the 
sensitive  laminae  (a  sole  and  bone),  is 
usually  caused  by  over-exertion,  or  after-efifects  from 
chilling,  inflammation  of  the  lungs,  bowels,  mucous 
membrane  of  the  bronchial  tubes,  etc.  The  sensitive 
foot  becomes  inflamed,  the  pulse  is  strong,  thick  and 
throbbing,  and  the  horse  lies  down  with  legs  stretched 
out.  A  case  of  acute  laminitis  is  curable,  if  taken  in 
time.  Remove  the  shoe,  and  soak  the  feet  in  warm 
water  for  an  hour  and  a  half,  then  poultice  entire  foot 
with  bran  and  boiled  carrots,  or  slippery  elm  bark  and 
linseed  meal.  Also  apply  Pratts  Peer- 
less Hoof  Ointment  at  night  all  over 
the  bottom  of  the  foot  and  to  all  parts 
of  the  frog  and  at  top  of  hoof  joining 
the  hair,  and  cover  the  entire  wall  of 
the  foot.  The  horse  should  stand  on 
i^AMiNiTis.  a   deep,  soft  bed.     Give  a  purgative 

(about  one-half  the  ordinary  dose)  and  aconite  (ten  drops) 
every  twenty  minutes,  until  the  animal  perspires  freely. 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


85 


Cover  well  with  blankets.  Change  poultices  twice  a  day, 
and  after  removing  put  the  feet  in  hot  water  ;  continue  for 
four  days.  Feed  bran  mashes,  vegetables  and  hay  ;  no 
grain.     Use  wide-webbed  shoes  two  weeks  after  recovery. 


SAND 
CRACK 


Sand  crack  is  an  open  fissure  in  the  wall 
of  the  hoof,  caused  by  strain,  defect  in 
secretion,  etc.     It  causes  lameness,  and 
blood  frequently  oozes  from  the  crack  during  motion. 
Reduce  pain  by  having  the  shoe  re- 
moved and  poulticing.  Open  crack  and 
remove  horn  from  each  side  in  contact 
with  coronet  for  the  space  of  an  inch. 
Apply  Pratts  Peerless  Hoof  Ointment 
and  cover  with  oakum.     Use  bar  shoe, 
relieve  pressure,  and  blister  the  coronet. 


SAND  CRACK. 

HORN 
rUMORS 


Horn  tumors  are  caused  by  bad  horse- 
shoeing, the  nails 
causing  an  irrita- 
tion, and  the  result  being  a  horn 
tumor.  The  r«nedy  is  to  pro- 
mote healthy  growth  by  good 
shoeing.     Use  fine  nails  and  have  the  shoe  fit  perfectly. 


HORN  TUMORS. 


86  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

CHAPTER  X. 

WOUNDS   AND  LAMENESS. 

Horses  are  always  liable  to  wounds  on  almost  every 
part  of  their  bodies,  and  every  owner  should  possess  a 
knowledge  of  what  to  do  in  emergencies.  We  know  of 
nothing  better  than  the  application  of  Pratts  Veterinary 
Healing  Ointment  three  times  a  day,  rubbing  it  well  into 
the  wound.  We  also  mention  the  following  treatment, 
as  per  our  note  on  page  119  :  Always  wash  the  wound 
thoroughly  with  cold  water  first,  and  see  that  no  for- 
eign matter  is  embedded,  and  use  a  camphor  or  soap 
liniment.  To  stop  the  bleeding,  cold  water  will  often 
answer.  If  an  artery  is  cut,  the  blood  will  be  bright 
red  and  spurt  out  in  jets,  while  a  vein  has  darker  blood 
and  the  flow  is  continuous.  Bleeding  is  stopped  by 
pressure,  plugging  the  wound  with  tow,  or  sometimes  the 
artery  must  be  tied.  Wounds  of  the  flesh  are  usually 
lacerated,  incised,  punctured,  contused,  or  abraded. 


Lacerated  wounds  are  produced  by  tear- 
ing, and  the  edges  are  ragged  and  un- 

even.     If  inflicted  in  the  abdominal  wall 

they  are  apt  to  prove  fatal.     All  wounds  should  have  the 


LACERATED 
WOUNDS 


i'RATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


87 


divided  edges  brought  together  as  quickly  as  possible,  so 
that  they  will  heal  by  adhesion.  This 
can  be  done  sometimes  by  bandages, 
but  when  the  cut  is  lengthy  and  deep, 
sutures  are  the  best.  One  way  to  insert 
a  suture  is  to  pass  a  pin  through  both 
edges  of  the  skin,  put  a  piece  of  twine 
over  the  point  and  head  in  the  form  of 
a  figure  8,  drawing  the  edges  closely 
together.  When  a  needle  is  used,  with 
wire  or  thread,  commence  stitches 
about  an  inch  or  an  inch  and  a  half  from  wound.  If  wound 
is  large,  use  two  or  more  sutures.  Tie  ends  tightly  and 
cut  off  ends.  Dress  a  lacerated  wound  with  Pratts  Vet- 
erinary Healing  Ointment  or  with  an  astringent,  such 
as,  sulphate  of  zinc,  one  and  one-half  drachms  ;  tincture 
of  myrrh,  two  fluid  ounces  ;  cold  water,  one  pint.  Dis- 
solve the  zinc  in  the  water,  then  add  the  tincture.  Label 
the  mixture  "  Poison." 


SUTURES. 


INCISED 
WOUNDS 


Incised  wounds  are  caused  by  a  sharp 
instrument,  and  the  skin  is  evenly  di- 
vided. Hemorrhage  frequently  occurs, 
as  the  blood  vessels  are  apt  to  be  cut.  Wash  and  clean 
thoroughly,  stop  the  bleeding,  close  wound  by  sutures  if 


88  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

necessary  and  use  Pratts  Veterinary  Healing  Ointment 
or  the  lotion  as  directed  for  lacerated  wounds. 


PUNCTURED 
WOUNDS 


Punctured  wounds  are  usually  the  most 
dangerous,  as  it  is  hard  to  tell  how  deep 
the  injury  extends.  The  mouth  of  the 
wound  contracts  and  is  smaller  than  the  interior.  If  the 
matter  which  forms  cannot  be  expelled,  abscesses  are  the 
result.  The  opening  should  be  made  larger  by  inserting 
a  sharp  knife  into  the  wound  and  cutting  downward  a 
Irifle.  This  cut  will  soon  heal.  Treat  same  as  other 
wounds  ;  dress  with  Pratts  Veterinary  Healing  Ointment 
or  with  the  lotion  as  for  lacerated  wounds. 


CONTUSED 
WOUNDS 


Contused  wounds  are  caused  by  falls, 
blows,  etc.,  and  are  serious,  as  the  mus- 
cles and  soft  parts  are  badly  jammed. 
If  swollen  very  much  and  filled  with  matter,  make  a 
sharp  cut  through  the  centre,  then  treat  as  a  lacerated 
wound.  Other  contused  wounds  not  so  serious  should 
be  covered  with  flannel  and  kept  continually  wet 
with  water,  at  a  temperature  of  ii8°  Fahrenheit,  for 
at  least  four  or  five  hours.  Follow  this  with  liniments 
of    camphor    or    ammonia,    but,    better    still,    Pratts 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  89 

Veterinary  Liniment  will  be  found   excellent  for  this 

purpose,  as  it  does  its  work  more  quickly  than  any  other 

preparation. 

Abraded  wounds  should  be  thoroughly 
drenched  with  water,  and  then  an  appli- 
cation of  Pratts  Veterinary  Liniment  or 

kerosene  oil  can  also  be  used.     The  oil  will  heal  the 

wound  and  restore  the  hair. 


ABRADED 
WOUNDS 


HARNESS 
QALLS 


Injury  from  the  harness  occurs  from 
unclean  or  bad -fitting  harness.  The 
parts  should  be  kept  perfectly  clean, 
and  Pratts  Veterinary  Healing  Ointment  applied  under 
each  sore  spot  that  comes  under  the  harness.  This 
should  be  done  night  and  morning.  The  horse  can  be 
worked  every  day.  In  accordance  with  our  explanation 
on  page  119,  we  also  suggest  the  use  of  the  following 
lotion  applied  three  times  a  day :  Sulphate  of  zinc,  three- 
quarters  of  an  ounce  ;  sugar  of  lead,  one  ounce  ;  tincture 
of  myrrh,  two  ounces  ;  soft  water,  one  quart.  Shake 
before  using.     The  above  is  good  for  healing  purposes. 

.  ..,^.,^^^(  Lameness  is  caused  by  many  different 
LAMENESS 

_^___^__^__  things,  but  bad  shoeing  is  the  principal 
cause  of  the  many  lame  horses  we  see  on  the  streets. 
Lameness  in  the  hind  feet  is  always  more  serious  than 


oo 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


when  it  is  in  the  fore  feet.  When  one  fore  foot  is 
injured,  the  head  and  body  drop  or  slightly  sink  when 
the  sound  one  touches  the  ground.  When  one  hind  foot 
is  injured,  the  head  of  the  horse  will  be  raised  when  the 
sound  foot  touches  the  ground  ;  while  the  hind  portion 
of  the  body  drops  on  that  side.  Pratts  Veterinary  Lini- 
ment will  quickly  relieve. 


HOWTO  DETECT 

LAMENESS  IN 

THE  HIP-JOINTS 


This    joint     is 
sometimes     ul- 
cerated, and  the 
symptoms  resemble  occult  spa- 
vin, with  the  addition  that  the 
diseased  leg  is  caught  up  from     ^,^^ 
the  ground  more  sharply.    The      lameness  in  hip-joint. 
best  way  to  test  is  to  place  something  soft  over  the  joint 
and  rap  it  sharply  with  a  mallet.     A  sharp  response  may 
be  looked  for.     It  is  incurable.     The  horse  is  worthless. 


HOW  TO 
DETECT  LAME- 
NESS IN  THE 
SHOULDER 


Sometimes   the    shoulder    is    ulcerated. 

The  trouble  generally  arises  in  a  muscle 

at  the  shoulder-joint.     In  this  case  the 

horse  will  not  advance  or  bend  the  leg  at  the  shoulder- 
joint  or  elbow  ;  drags  the  leg  and  never  lifts  the  toe  from 
the  ground.     An  old  test  is  to  lead  the  horse  up  to  a  log, 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  91 

if  he  refuses  to  pass  over  it,  the  shoulder  is  the  spot. 
When  lameness  is  in  both  shoulders,  he  will  rest  his  feet 
backward,  not  pointing  forward,  and  will  be  stiff  in  the 


HOW  TO 
DETECT  LAME- 
NESS IN  THE 
KNEE-JOINT 


IvAMENESS  IN   SHOUIvDER. 

muscles  and  also  when  turning  around.      Rub  Pratts 
Veterinary  Liniment  well  over  the  joints  once  a  day. 

Any  disease  of  this  joint  that  cannot  be 
seen  from  the  outside  will  show  in  a  stiff- 
ened advance  of  the  foreleg,  a  long  step, 
or  when  the  horse  lies  down  he  will  place  the  leg  on  the 
outside  of  the  body,  not  under  it  and  not  closely  bent  ; 
otherwise  the  horse  may  show  no  signs  of  lameness. 

Also  examine  the  feet  for  diseases  next  to  the  coffin 
joint — that  is,  between  the  hoof  and  hock  joint — and  so 
on  up,  including  the  shoulder.  It  is  usually  found 
before  you  reach  the  shoulder-joint.  There  is  nothing 
better  to  cure  lameness  in  knee-joint  than  Pratts  Veteri-' 
nary  Liniment.     Rub  it  in  well  once  a  day. 


99  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


SPRAINS  OFTHE 

TENDONS  AND 

THEIR 

TREATMENT 


A  horse  is  liable  to  have  the  tendons  of 
both  fore  and  hind  legs  badly  sprained 
from  hard  work,  fast  heats,  or  reckless 
driving.  There  are  different  names  for  strains,  according 
to  the  injury  and  location;  when  it  first  occurs  it  is  hardly 
noticeable,  unless  it  happens  to  be  very  severe  ;  the  next 
morning,  however,  the  horse  will  be  stiff  and  cramped, 
which  may  disappear  on  exercise,  to  return  the  follow- 
ing morning,  If  more  severe,  the  horse  will  keep  the 
leg  bent  and  only  rest  the  toe  on  the  ground.  By  care- 
fully examining  (as  previously  mentioned  in  looking  for 
lameness)  a  swelling  may  be  detected,  which  is  hot.  If 
it  is  but  slight,  it  can  be  found  only  by  pressure,  as  a 
sound  tendon  is  not  at  all  tender  and  will  bear  almost 
any  amount  of  pressure  ;  first  put  on  a  shoe  made  gradu- 
ally thick  :from  toe  to  heel,  the  heel  an  inch  higher 
than  the  toe,  no  caulks  ;  then  bathe  the  leg  placed  in  a 
pail  of  milk-warm  water  for  one  hour  ;  repeat  this  three 
times  a  day  until  inflammation  is  gone.  A  cure  can 
quickly  be  effected  with  Pratts  Veterinary  Liniment — 
rub  it  in  well  twice  a  day,  after  second  day  apply  once 
a  day.  Another  remedy,  as  per  our  note  on  page  119, 
is  as  follows  :  Between  the  bathing,  bandage  the  leg  from 
knee  to  fetlock,  the  bandage  being  saturated  with  the 
following :  Acetic  acid,  two  fluid  ounces  ;  chloroform,  two 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  93 

fluid   ounces ;    opium,   two  ounces ;   water,  one   quart. 
Mix. 

When  the  fever  has  left,  apply  a  blister  to  the  whole 
tendon  from  knee  to  fetlock.  Before  doing  so,  clip  off 
the  hair.  The  blister  can  be  powdered  cantharides, 
iodine,  and  Venice  turpentine,  of  each  one  drachm,  and 
palm  oil,  two  ounces.  About  half  an  ounce  of  this 
will  be  enough  to  blister.  It  will  be  hardly  necessary 
to  repeat  it.     We  advise  a  couple  of  months'  rest. 


CAPPED  ELBOW 
SHOE  BOIL  AND 
ITSTREATMENT 


It  is  located  on  the  elbow  of  front  leg,  and 
is  caused  by  the  pressure  of  the  shoe 
against  it  while  the  horse  is  lying  down. 
It  can  be  prevented  by  putting  leather  boots  on  the  fore 
feet.  If  it  has  just  occurred  and  is  inflamed,  reduce  it 
with  cold  water  and  evaporating  lotions.  Pratts  Vet- 
erinary Liniment  is  good.  If  it  has  broken,  syringe  the 
boil  out  three  or  four  times  daily  with  the  following : 
Carbolic  acid,  one  ounce  ;  tincture  opium,  four  fluid 
ounces  ;  soft  water,  one  quart.  Mix.  Or  Pratts  Veteri- 
nary Liniment,  w^hich  will  be  found  quick  in  healing. 

If  any  callus  remains  after  healing,  or  inflammation 
has  gone  down,  apply  blister  of  biniodide  of  mercury 
and  lard,  same  as  used  in  capped  hock. 


04  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


CAPPED  HOCK 

AND  ITS 

TREATMENT 


It  is  generally  caused  by  kicking  against 
the  swingle-tree  and  bruising 
the  point  of  the  hock,  caus- 
ing heat,  swelling  and  lameness.  A  cheap, 
quick  remedy  can  be  had  in  Pratts  Veteri-  ]v'' 
nary  Liniment.  Rub  it  in  twice  a  day  until  cappei^hock:. 
the  enlargements  disappear.  However,  as  per  our  note 
on  page  119,  we  also  suggest  the  following  :  Take  one 
pound  of  sal-ammoniac  and  dissolve  it  in  three  pints  of 
vinegar,  and  bathe  the  injured  limb  every  one  or  two 
hours.  If  it  is  not  all  gone  in  a  week,  blister  the  cap 
with  biniodide  of  mercury  (one  part)  and  eight  parts 
lard  ;  or  the  tincture  of  iodine  may  be  applied  morning 
and  evening  with  tooth-brush,  until  the  parts  are  blis- 
tered ;  then  stop  for  a  few  days. 

Knee-sprung  is  caused  by  contracted 
tendons.  The  animal  often  goes  over 
sufficiently  to  make  the  gait  unsteady, 
and  frequently  trembles.  Blistering  and  bathing  have 
only  temporary  effect,  as  working  brings  on  the  symp- 
toms again.  By  slightly  raising  the  heels  of  the  shoes, 
enough  to  permit  the  animal  to  have  a  solid  foundation 
to  stand  upon  and  not  strain  the  defective  tendons,  will 
prevent  the  trembling  mentioned,  besides  preventing 
the  animal  from  balancing  himself  upon  his  toes,  which 


KNEE-SPRUNG 

AND  ITS 

TREATMENT 


PR/tTTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  06 

habit  will  eventually  change  the  form  of  the  hoof. 
Often,  in  extreme  cases,  a  surgical  operation  to  divide 
the  tendons  is  the  only  mode  of  relief. 


SWELLED  LEO 

AND  ITS 

TREATMENT 


The  cause  is  generally  overfeeding,  es- 
pecially when  the  animal  is  not  called 
upon  to  perform  his  ordinary  labor. 
Some  cases  derive  from  other  causes.  Horses  once  at- 
tacked with  it  are  liable  to  have  it  again.  As  the  swell- 
ing increases,  the  pain  and  lameness  pass  away.  It  is 
commonly  known  as  water  farcy.  Pratts  Veterinary 
Liniment  will  quickly  reduce  the  swelling.  Another 
remedy,  however,  as  per  note  on  page  119,  is  as  follows : 
Commence  by  giving  one  drachm  of  iodide  of  potassium 
three  times  a  day,  and  apply  by  rubbing  the  following 
liniment  over  the  whole  limb  :  Gum  camphor,  three 
ounces  ;  tincture  of  arnica,  four  fluid  ounces  ;  tincture 
of  aconite,  two  fluid  ounces  ;  alcohol,  one  pint.     Mix. 

Particular  attention  must  be  paid  to  the  food  and 
care.     Pratts  food  is  of  great  assistance  in  this  disease. 


ATTENTION 

TO 

WOUNDS,  ETC. 


It  is  absolutely  necessary  that  a  horse 
to    recover    perfectly   from   wounds    or 
bruises,  must  have  good   food,  bedding 
and  attention. 

Give  warm   mashes,  oats,  green   food   and   Pratts 


06  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

Food.  This  latter  will  do  much  to  put  the  horse  in  a 
condition  to  prevent  complications  from  setting  in  and 
ward  off  all  diseases  prevalent  when  the  horse  is  wounded. 
If  the  horse  is  feverish,  give  several  times  a  day,  aconite 
in  doses  of  ten  drops.  Keep  wounds  clean  and,  if  a 
surgeon  is  called,  follow  his  directions  faithfully.  How- 
ever, practically  every  case  can  be  successfully  treated 
by  the  use  of  Pratts  Veterinary  Healing  Ointment. 


KNUCKLING 

AND  ITS 
TREATMENT 


Knuckling  may  be  caused  by  heavy  haul- 
ing, fast  work  on  an  uneven  surface,  bad 
shoeing,  etc.  ;  these  things  should  be 
avoided.  The  only  remedy  is  to  apply  a  good  sharp 
blister,  and  immediately  after,  fire  the  joint.  Boots, 
bandages  and  such  artificial  means  have  very  little  effect. 

CHAPTER   XL 

FROT^fr   AND   LOSS — GENERAL   HINTS. 

There  is  a  good  demand  at  all  times  for 
first-class  horses,  and  breeders  that  raise 

first-class    road,    carriage,    saddle    and 

draught  horses  reap  a  harv^est.  The  supply  is  not  equal 
to  the  demand  ;-  but  it  must  be  remembered  that  the 
public  want  style  and  finish.  It  is  possible  to  breed 
American  draught  horses  to  beat  the  world,  the  same  as 
the  American-bre"l  trotters  have  for  years  excelled  all 


DEMAND 

FOR  GOOD 

HORSES 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


07 


A  DRAUGHT  MARE. 

others.     Good  horses  must  have  good  breeding  ;  a  high- 
bred stallion  is  always  in  demand. 


BREEDiNQ  The  reason  that  much  of  the  breeding 

THAT  DON'T  ^^^^    ^^^  -^    ^^^    ^^   ^^^  ^^^^  ^^^  ^^ 

PAY  ^    '' 

..^____^^  breeding  stock  is  inferior.  A  small, 
undersized  mare,  with  no  good  qualities,  cannot  produce 
a  valuable  colt.  To  produce  salable  horses,  the  parents 
must  possess  the  characteristics  of  the  type  of  animal 
desired.  You  cannot  get  a  first-class  driver  from  a  road 
mare,  or  a  fine  draught  horse  from  any  kind  of  a  mare, 
even  if  the  stallion  is  good.  Good  driving  horses  cannot 
be  secured  from  breeding  draught  mares  with  road  horses. 


BREEDING 

THAT  DOES 

PAY 


Breed  the  best  road  mares  to  the  best 
road  stallions,  the  best  draught  mares  to 
the  best  draught  stallions,  etc.    By  breed- 


98  PR/4TTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

ing  in  this  way  you  will  have  horses  that  can  bt  st?ld  £;t  a 
good  price.  If  the  breeders  in  this  country  would  breed 
first-class  saddle  horses  they  could  sell  all  of  them  in  the 
European  market.  Another  branch  is  to  breed  horses  suit- 
able to  the  express  companies  and  large  department  stores. 
They  are  always  in  need  of  first-class  horses,  and  pay 
good  prices  for  them.  It  is  also  a  well-known  fact  that 
stylish  carriage  horses  are  always  salable.  Breed  the 
best,  or  none  at  all.  Profit  is  for  the  wise  breeder,  while 
loss  is  sure  for  the  careless. 

BREEDING  I  No  oue  should  attempt  to  breed  trotting 
THE  TROTTER  [  borscs  unlcss  he  has  time  and  money. 
It  is  said  that  the. 'breeder  who  makes  the  money  strives 
to  produce  speed,  sound  and  game  horses.  What  pur- 
chasers want  are  individuality,  nerve,  soundness,  good 
temper  and  staying  qualities.  In  breeding  race  horses 
you  must  expect  many  disappointments,  and  be  prepared 

to  meet  them.  

THE  HORSE'S  I     It  is  important  that  horses  should  have 
^^^^"       I     good  teeth,  that  their  food 


may  be  properly  masticated.  Many  buyers 
look  at  a  horse's  mouth  to  tell  ag:e,  but  do 

^    '  A  GOOD  TOOTH, 

not  examine  carefully  whether  the  teeth 

are  good  or  bad.     An  adult  horse  has  in  each  jaw  six 

incisors,  or  fore  teeth,  followed  on  either  side  by  a  tush. 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


09 


ADUI.T  HORSE'S  JA.W. 


Next  comes  a  series  of  six 
grinders  on  each  side  in 
both  jaws.  The  grinders 
have  a  square  crown,  marked 
with  four  crescents  formed 


by  the  laminae  of  enamel  which  are  embedded  in  them. 
The  bar  is  the  space  between  the  tushes  and  the  grinders. 
Up  to  nine  years  the  age  of  a  horse  can  be  accurately 


/JiYR^, 


HORSE'S  TEETH. 

told  by  the  changes  which  take  place  in  the  teeth.     By 
studying  the  drawings  anyone  can  tell  the  age  of  a  horse. 


100 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


I2YRS 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  101 


CARE  OP 

MANE  AND 

TAIL 


If  the  horse  carries  his  tail  on  one  side,  a 
slight  surgical  operation  which  divides 
the  muscles  on  the  inner  side  of  the  curve 
f  the  tail,  and  tying  it  over  toward  the  opposite  side 
until  it  heals,  is  necessary.  The  superficial  muscles  only 
are  divided.  Wash  the  mane  and  tail  thoroughly  once 
a  week.  To  increase  the  growth,  kerosene  oil  mixed 
with  sweet  oil,  well  rubbed  into  the  roots,  will  do  it. 
To  prevent  rubbing  the  mane  and  tail,  wash  with 
warm  soap-suds  and  apply  with  a  sponge  a  lotion  made 
of  a  fluid  ounce  of  sulphuric  acid  in  a  quart  of  water. 
Use  twice  daily. 


TENDER 
nOUTHS 


Always  have  the  bit  to  fit  properly.  It 
should  be  silver-plated.  The  rein  and 
bridle  must  also  be  of  the  proper  length. 
If  the  horse's  mouth  becomes  very  sore,  cover  the  bit 
with  calfskin  and  apply  daily  to  the  mouth  a  lotion  of 
an  ounce  of  tannic  acid  in  a  pint  of  water.  Never  put 
an  ice-cold  bit  into  a  horse's  mouth. 


If  a  horse  has  a  long  distance  to  go,  drive 
slow  at  first.     In  tying  a  horse,  have  tail 
towards  the  wind,  and  blanket  as  quickly 
as  possible.    Keep  horses  out  of  drafts.    For  a  cold,  feed 


TYING  AND 
DRIVING 


102 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


Pratts  Food  and  a  cure  will  follow.  After  a  hard  drive 
in  bad  weather,  rub  him  all  over,  blanket  carefully  and 
when  rested  give  nourishing  food . 


Cribbing  is  a  vice   hard   to   overcome. 
Tie  the  horse  in  a  stall  where  there  is 
no  manger,  and  feed  from  a  box,  which 
should  be  removed  as  soon  as  he  has  finished  eating.    If 


TO  CURE 
CRIBBING 


To  PREVENT  CRIBBING. 


this  does  not  cure  him,  tie  with  two  ropes  so  that  he 
cannot  get  hold  of  anything  with  his  teeth. 


HOW  TO  PRE- 
VENT A  HORSE 
PAWINQ  IN 
THE  STALL 


To  prevent  a  horse  pawing  in  the  stall, 
make  a  frame  four  feet  long,  and  of  width 
to  nearly  reach  to  the  top  of  the  manger, 
from  which  it  is  suspended,  allowing  it  to  reach  within 
about  ten  inches  of  the  floor  ;  board  up  the  sash  or  frame 
so  that  he  cannot  get  his  feet  over  the  lower  bar,  which  is 
made  of  a  round  stick  two  inches  in  diameter.  When 
he  paws  he  will  set  the  frame  in  motion  and  cause  it  to 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


103 


strike  his  shins,  which  will  so  disgust  him  that  he  will 
give  up  the  habit. 


HOW  TO  PRE- 
VENT HORSES 
FROM  CHEWING 
BRIDLE 


To  prevent  this,  mix  bitter  aloes  in  a 
solution  of  gum  arabic.  Rub  it  on  the 
part  of  the  bridle  that  the  horse  is  in  the 


habit  of  chewing,  and  it  will  stop  him. 


^r»/^/^»i,.».T^  I    ^^^  the  comfort,   health  and  beauty  of 
QROOMiNQ    I  '  -^ 

i  the  horse,  good  daily  grooming  is  neces- 
sary. If  possible,  the  grooming  should  not  be  done  in 
the  stall,  but  in  a  shed  constructed  for  that  purpose. 


GROOMING. 


Good  grooming  removes  dirt,  the  products  of  perspira- 
tion from  the  skin  and  beautifies  the  coat.  It  also  stimu- 
lates the  skin  and  hair  and  allows  the  body  to  perform 


104  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

its  function  more  thoroughly.  Grooming  is  placed  next 
to  feeding  and  watering  in  importance.  The  curry-comb 
is  intended  to  be  used  only  when  the  hair  is  glued  to  the 
skin  and  to  clean  the  dirty  dry  legs  of  work  horses.  It 
should  be  used  with  gentleness,  as  it  hurts  the  sensitive 
skin  of  some  horses  and  makes  them  irritable.  The 
principal  use  of  the  curry-comb  is  to  clean  the  brush. 
In  brushing,  do  it  with  vigor  ;  have  all  dust,  loose  hair 
and  dandruff  removed,  then  rub  until  the  coat  shines. 
A  well-groomed  horse  always  looks  clean,  shining  and 
healthy.  Never  cut  the  hair  from  the  legs  of  a  horse. 
It  was  put  there  for  a  certain  mission  and  should  remain. 
If  the  horse's  legs  are  washed,  carefully  dr>'  them 
immediately  afterwards.  Never  use  the  comb  on  the 
mane  and  tail  unless  absolutely  necessary;  the  brush 
is  much  better.  Using  the  comb  constantly  reduces  the 
hair.  A  fine  coat,  so  desirable  in  horses,  can  be  attained 
by  feeding  Pratts  Food  and  proper  grooming,  and  the 
value  of  the  horse  greatly  increased. 


CLIPPINQ 

AND 
SINQEINQ 


Clipping  and  singeing  is  a  great  benefit 
to  horses,  if  it  is  done  properly  at  the 
right  time  and  the  horse  is  cared  for  after- 
wards. A  horse  that  is  not  clipped  is  seldom  dry  and 
clean.      Clipping  enables  the  horse  to  work  better,  be 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  106 

brighter  and  have  more  vigor.  Clipping  consists  of 
removing  the  thick  coat  by  a  clipping  machine  which 
cuts  the  hair.  Singeing  burns  off  the  hair  by  means  of 
a  lamp  charged  with  gas.  Both  methods  have  their 
friends,  but  clipping  seems  to  be  the  favorite  in  this 
country.  Some  owners  think  that  thick  hair  should  not 
be  removed,  but  those  who  have  given  the  subject  much 
study  affirm  that  horses  are  kept  in  an  artificial  condi- 
tion, and  the  rough  coat  unfits  them  for  work.  It  is  cer- 
tainly true  that  a  thick  coat  wet  with  perspiration  or 
rain  is  conducive  to  colds.  The  time  for  clipping 
depends  upon  the  horse,  but  September  and  October  are 
the  favorite  months.  Never  remove  hairs  from  the  ears 
or  the  long  bristles  around  a  horse's  mouth,  eyes  or 
nostrils. 


CLOTHINQ 


Clothing  is  necessary  for  fine-skin  horses 
that  do  fast  work  in  cold  weather.  In 
fact  race  horses  are  usually  clothed  all  the  year.  It  is 
not  necessary  to  clothe  horses  doing  ordinary  work,  un- 
less the  stable  is  very  cold.  Too  much  clothing  renders 
the  skin  sensitive. 


COMFORT     I    When  a  horse  comes  in  from  work,  have 
everything  in  the  stall  for  his  comfort. 


See  that  the  bedding  is  liberal.     The  best  litter  is  made 


106 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


of  good  wheat  straw.  It  is  necessary  for  a  horse^s  health 
that  he  has  a  certain  amount  of  rest.  Have  the  stall 
large  enough  that  a  horse  can  lie  down  with  his  legs 
stretched  out.  Always  have  horses  that  agree  with  each 
other  in  adjoining  stalls.  Have  the  stable  oerfectly 
quiet  at  night. 


GIVING 
MEDICINE 


When  it  is  necessary  to  administer  a 
*'ball"  of  medicine,  it  takes  practice 
and  tact.  Hold  the  ball 
between  the  forefingers  of 
the  right  hand,  making 
the  hand  as  small  as  pos- 
sible. Grasp  the  horse's 
tongue  with  the  left  hand; 
carefully  pull  it  out  and 
place  it  on  that  part  of 
the  lower  jaw  which  is  bare  of  teeth.  Insert  the  right 
hand  into  the  mouth  as  far  as  possible,  leaving  the  ball 
at  the  root  of  the  tongue ;  withdraw  the  hand,  release  the 
tongue,  which  forces  the  ball  still  farther  back,  and  close 
the  horse's  mouth.  Hold  the  horse's  head  up,  until  he 
swallows  the  ball,  which  can  be  plainly  seen  passing 
down  the  gullet.  It  is  best  to  have  one  person  to  admin- 
ister the  medicine  and  another  to  hold  the  horse's  head. 


GIVING  A  BAtl,. 


"^^ 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  107 

To  give  a  drink  or  drench,  pour  the 
medicine  into  a  strong  bottle,  raise  the 
horse's  head  and  pour  in  about  three  or 
four  ounces  at  a  time.  If  he  refuses  to 
swallow,  close  the  nostrils  for  a  moment. 
BAi,!,  PASSING  If  bc  chokcs,  lowcr  his  head  at  once. 

DOWN  GUI^LET. 

Poultices  are  for  allaying  pains,  soften- 
ing the  tissues,  etc.  They  should  always  be  large,  kept 
moist,  and  applied  for  a  considerable  time. 

When  fomentation  is  used,  have  the  water  hot  and 
maintained  at  an  even  temperature  as  long  as  required. 

After  poulticing  and  fomenting,  dry  thoroughly 
and  bandage  to  protect  from  the  air. 


CHAPTER   XII. 

DIFFERENT  BREEDS. 

There  are  many  dilfferent  breeds  of  horses, — so  many, 
in  fact,  that  it  is  impossible  to  describe  all  within  the 
space  allotted  to  this  chapter;  so  we  mention  only  those 
that  are  prominent  and  noted  for  excellence  in  their 
particular  line. 

ARABIAN    I    '^^^  Arabian  is  a  distinct  variety,  and 

I    one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  all  breeds. 

The  Arabian  horse  is  noted  for  its  wide  forehead,  fine 


108 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


muzzle,  width  of  jaws,  small  ears,  prominent  full  eyes, 
arched  neck,  muscular  shoulder  and  high  withers.  The 
tail  is  always  carried  grace- 
fully. The  hips  are  mus- 
cular; the  hocks  and  knees 
large  and  well  formed,  and 
the  feet  small  and  sound. 
Arabian  horses  are  usually 
bay,  black  or  gray  ;  and 
they  stand  about  fifteen 
hands  high.  They  are  brave,  but  very  docile,  and  become 
greatly  attached  to  their  owner.  Asia  is  their  native 
home,  but  they  are  imported  to  all  parts  of  the  globe. 


ARABIAN. 


HACK^EY 


The  Hackney  is  the  fashionable  driving 
cart  and  car- 


riage horse  of  the  present 

day.     He  is  an  English-bred 

trotter   of   a   certain    type. 

The  Hackney  is  compactly 

built,  has  bright  eye,   fine 

high  knee  action  and  much 

intelligence.      A  breeder  of  hackney. 

Hackneys  has  a  good   sale  for  his  horses,  as  they  are 

always  in  demand. 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


109 


CLEVELAND 
BAY 


The  Cleveland 

Bay    is    from 

the  Cleveland 
district,  Yorkshire,  England. 
Their  color  is  a  pure  bay, 
ranging  from  light  to  dark. 
They  are  very  popular  on  u 
account  of  their  good  consti-  Cleveland  bay. 

tuti-on,  large  bone  and  endurance.     They  are  excellent 
for  carriage  horses  and  make  a  fine  appearance. 


YORKSHIRE 
BAY 


The  Yorkshire  Bay  is  from  Yorkshire, 
England,  and  is  a  cross  between  the 
Cleveland  Bay  and  the  English  Thor- 
oughbred. They  are  said  to  be  the  finest  carriage  horses 
in  the  world,  possessing  fine  action  and  endurance.  They 
are  a  rich  bay,  with  legs,  mane  and  tail  black.  They 
have  arched  necks  and  high-set  tails,  while  the  entire 
make-up  of  the  horse  is  graceful. 


nORGAN 


The  Morgan,  an  American  horse,  has  de- 
scended from  Justin  Morgan,  foaled  in 
1793.  They  are  noted  for  their  staying  qualities,  courage, 
good  action  and  their  beauty.  The  Morgans  are  trotting 
roadsters,  going  many  miles  without  discomfort. 


uo 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


THE  BART 


The  Bart  is  of  African  origin  ;  but  they 
are  coarser  and  smaller  than  the  Arabiaa 
The  Spanish  horse  has  descended  from  this  breed.  It  is 
also  said  the  best  English  stock  has  Bart  blood  in  it. 
The  Bart  has  a  small  head,  good  ears,  large  neck,  the 
shoulders  light,  sloping  and  broad,  withers  high,  loins 
straight  and  short,  flanks  and  ribs  round  and  well  de- 
veloped, haunches  strong,  legs  clean  and  the  tendons 
clearly  marked,  long  pastern  and  the  feet  sound  and  of 
good  shape.  The  height  is  about  fourteen  and  a  half 
hands.  They  are  not  as  speedy  nor  have  as  much  spirit 
as  the  Arabian. 


ENGLISH 
THOROUGH- 
BREDS 


To  describe  the  English  Thoroughbred, 
their  origin  and  subsequent  history, 
would   take 


several  volumes.  The  Eng- 
lish Thoroughbreds  contain 
Arab  and  Turkish  blood. 
They  are  about  15  hands,  3 
inches  high,  and  are  usually 
bay,  brown,  or  chestnut. 
The  hair  is  silky  and  the 
skin  thin.  The  head  and  neck  are  light ;  the  body 
moderately  long  ;   the  back  muscular  and   hips  wide. 


ENGWSH   THOROUGHBRED. 


PRATT S  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  lU 

The  chest  should  be  well  developed,  shoulder  muscular 
and  legs  flat  and  strong.  The  hind  quarter  must  have 
good  length  and  volume  of  muscle.  The  pasterns 
should  be  long,  and  feet  of  fair  size  and  sound. 


CLYDES= 
DALE 


The  Clydesdale  horse  is  especially  desired 
by  farmers,  on  account  of  their  size,  cour- 
age, activity  and  endurance.  The  Clydes- 
dale is  bred  in  the  districts  bordering  on  the  Clyde,  and 
they  owe  their  origin  to  one  of  the  dukes  of  Hamilton 
who  crossed  a  Lanark  mare  with  a  stallion  from  Flanders. 
The  Clydesdale  has  a  long,  low  back;  short,  flat  ribs; 
good  strong  legs,  and  long  pasterns.  For  farm-work  they 
cannot  be  surpassed.  (Illustration  of  Clydesdale,  see 
page  46.)  

I    The  Norman  horse  is  hardy  and  compact, 
NORMAN  . 
I    but   slow.      They  have  low  bodies   and 

short  legs ;  good  constitutions  and  very  strong  feet,  which 

stand  almost  any  amount  of  hard  wear. 


.    The  Shire  horse  is  one  of  the  best  horses 

SHIRE       I 

for  heavy  work.      They  are  large,  well- 


built,  powerful,  good-tempered,  and  have  much  endur- 
ance.  The  Shire  is  slower,  but  stronger,  than  the  Clydes- 


112 


PR^TTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


dale.  They  have  large  heads,  roomy  bodies,  wide  hips, 
broad  and  muscular  loins,  fore  arms  and  thighs  powerful 
and  hocks  broad.  The  legs  are  very  hairy.  (Illustra- 
tion of  Shire,  see  page  47.) 


CANADIAN 


The    Canadian 
horse  is  hardy. 


courageous  and  has  great  en- 
durance. His  crest  is  lofty, 
breast  broad,  heavy  shoulders, 
broad  back,  round  muscular 
croup,  with  good  strong  legs 
and  feet.  The  fetlocks  are 
shaggy,  and  the  mane  and  tail  very  full  and  long.  A 
peculiarity  of  the  breed  is  the  crimpled  wave  to  the  tail; 
and  feet  that  are  sound  and  free  from  disease. 


CANADIAN. 


BELGIAN 


I    The 
J    hor 


The  Belgian 
ses  are 
good  for  slow  purposes,  and 
are  imported  into  this  coun- 
try in  large  quantities. 
They  are  ver>^  heavy  and 
only  good  for  work  which 
requires  slow  walking 


BEIX;iAN. 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


U3 


PERCHERON 


The  Percheron  is 
another    horse 


especially  adapted  for  heavy 
work.  They  are  beautiful  ani- 
mals, and  possess  all  the  good 
qualities  of  the  Clydesdale  and 
Shire.  Choose  those  animals 
that  are  of  good  size  and  evenly 
proportioned  with  a  good  road  gait 


PliRCItBRON. 


HUNTERS 


Much  care  has  been  spent  on  the  breed- 
ing  of  the  Hunter,  and  a  magnificent 
animal,  well  fitted  for  his 
work,  is  the  result.  A  Hun- 
ter must  have  speed,  endur- 
ance, strength,  and  good 
temper.  The  requisites  of 
a  good  Hunter  are  a  good 
mouth,  a  high  sloping  shoul- 
der, good  limbs  and  joints, 
loins  and  hind  quarters  should  be  wide  and  long,  thighs 
long  and  muscular.  It  is  also  necessary  that  they  have 
good  wind,  perfect  action  and  judgment.  A  perfect 
Hunter  is  a  perfect  horse,  as  it  requires  perfection  to 
|«lfil  iu  dutie.«i. 


HUNTER. 


U4 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


FRENCH 
COACH 


The   French 

Coach    is   the 

ideal  carriage 
horse,  and  is  noted  for  its  grace- 
ful carriage,  strength  and  en- 
durance. The  French  Coach 
is  the  result  of  years  of  the 
most  careful  breeding;  and  the 
outcome  is  almost  a  perfect 
horse.  Great  care  and  attention  is  given  in  France  to  the 
breeding  of  horses,  and  they  are  well  paid  for  their  trouble. 


FRENCH  COACH. 


SHETLAND 
PONY 


The  Shetland 
pony   is    about 
loj^  hands  high, 
are    strong,    hardy  and 


SHETLAND  PON\'. 


They 

active,   while   possessing  great 

beauty.       They   have    small 

heads,  good   shoulders,  backs  and  quarters,  with  long 

mane  and  tail.     They  come  from  the  Shetland  Islands, 

which  are  north  of  Scotland. 


INDIAN 
PONY 


The  Indian  Pony  is  a  rare  combination 
of  strength,  endurance  and  activity. 
They  are  about  thirteen  hands  high  and 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


115 


possess  a  high  crest,  full  mane  and  tail,  strong  body,  and 
legs  and  feet  that  are  strong  and  lasting.  They  run 
wild  in  the  Northwest  prairies. 


The  American  Thoroughbred  is  descen- 
ded from  stock  imported  from  the  Eng- 
lish  Thoroughbreds.     They   are   unri- 
valed as  trotters ;  and  the  great  care  bestowed  upon  the 


ArtERICAN 
THOROUGH- 
BRED 


PACER,  TROTTER,   RUNNER. 

breeding  has  given  America  a  strain  of  horses  unequaled 
anywhere.      They  have  a  beautiful  wiry  frame,  great 


ue 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


elasticity  of  muscle  and  are  noted  for  endurance.      The 
records  of  pacers,  trotters  and  runners  are  marvelous. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE  MULE. 

It  is  strange   that  the 

value  of  a  good  mule  is  not 

more  generally  appreciated. 

Mules  are  superior  to  horses 

for    many  kinds  of   work. 

They  stand  fatigue  better, 

and  their  skin  is  hard  and 

tough,  enabling  them  to  bear 

THE  MUI.E.  heavy  weights  and  brave  all 

kinds  of  weather.     Mules  live  as  long  as  horses  and  are 

much  cheaper  to  keep.     They  are  seldom  sick. 


BREEDINQ 
nULES 


The  best  mules  are  bred  from  a  good, 
low,  heavy  Jack  and  an  average-sized, 
compact  mare.     Mules  bred  from  a  horse 

stallion  and  a  mare  ass  are  gentle,  but  are  not  hardy  and 

are  usually  small. 

As  mules  always  inherit  the  shape  and  disposition 

of  the  sire  more  than  the  dam,  great  care  should  be  used 

in  selecting  him.     Secure  the  best  that  can  be  obtained 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  117 

and  breed  him  to  a  mare  standing  about  fourteen  hands 
high.  Mules  are  not  full  grown  before  they  are  five 
years  old.  The  best  mules  have  a  good  strong  neck, 
bright  eye,  broad  chest,  compact  body  and  strong  legs. 

The  male  mule  is  stronger  than  the  female,  but  not 
so  gentle.  The  best  height  is  about  thirteen  and  one- 
half  hands  high. 


A  MULE'S 
WORK 


Mules  are  excellent  for  farm-work,  and 
do  all  kinds  in  a  manner  that  excels  a 
team  of  horses.  In  the  mountainous 
regions  mules  are  indispensable.  They  are  especially 
adapted  for  army  work,  on  canals,  in  mines  and  for  work 
where  patience  and  steadiness  are  wanted.  Mules  are  not 
as  fast  as  horses,  but  are  not  as  excitable  and  can  always 
take  take  care  of  themselves. 


BREAKING 

AND 
TRAINING 


The  education  of  mules  should  begin  as 
early  as  possible.  Train  them  first  with 
a  halter  and  lead  them  until  they  are 
perfectly  accustomed  to  it.  The  reason  so  many  mules 
are  irritable  and  unmanageable  is  on  account  of  im- 
proper training.  It  is  the  opinion  of  some  trainers  that 
the  more  abuse  you  give  a  mule  the  better.  This  is  a 
mistake.     Gentleness  and  kindness  is  as  much  a  neces- 


U8  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

sity  in  training  mules  as  it  is  in  training  horses.  A 
mule's  ears  are  very  sensitive  and  they  should  never  be 
hit  or  squeezed.  Accustom  them  to  be  handled,  but  do 
it  in  the  right  manner.  The  proper  training  will  result 
in  a  good,  gentle  and  obedient  animal.  They  are 
usually  shy  ;  but  this  is  characteristic  and  is  not  a  serious 
fault.  Always  have  good,  strong  harness;  the  collar 
should  fit  perfectly;  the  bit  should  not  be  too  thin. 


CARE  OF 
THE  MULE 


Mules  must  be  shod  very  carefully  on 
account  of  the  peculiar  construction  of 
their  feet.     A  neglected  hoof  of  a  mule 

soon   renders  the  animal   useless.      When   a  mule   is 

fatigued,  his  ears  will  swing  backwards 

and  forwards  ;  when  very  tired,  his  head 

droops,   and   the    ears    fall     backwards. 

Mules    are    fed    similar    to    horses,  al-        negi^ected 

though  a  smaller  amount  of  food  is  nec- 
essary.    Very  small  animals  are  fed  only  twice  a  day. 

Keep  the  mules  in  comfortable  quarters ;  they  do  not 

require  as  much  attention  as  horses. 


PROFIT  IN 
MULES 


Good  mules  are  always  salable.  In  fact, 
the  reason  that  more  of  them  are  not 
used  is  the  difficulty  in  securing  them. 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  119 

In  war  times  the  mule  becomes  an  important  factor,  and 
all  that  can  be  secured  are  boug^ht. 


NOTE 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

READ  THIS  CAREFULLY. 

In  treating  on  diseases  of  the  horse,  we 


have  endeavored  in  all  cases  to  give,  in 
our  judgment,  the  very  best  remedies.  Where  Pratts 
Food,  Pratts  Animal  Regulator  or  Pratts  Condition 
Powder  is  named,  we  consider  it  the  des^  for  the  case^ 
and  in  our  actual  practice  we  should  use  it  and  no 
other. 

At  the  same  time,  as  this  book  is  intended  to  be  a 
standard  work  of  general  information,  we  specify  other 
remedies  in  addition  to  our  own  preparations,  preferring 
to  give  other  information  in  our  possession,  thereby 
allowing  the  reader  the  choice  of  remedies. 

We  feel  it  advisable  to  specially  call  attention  to  the 
fact  that  Pratts  Food^  Pratts  Animal  Reg2clator  Sindi  Pratts 
Cofidition  Powder  are  known  as  the  greatest  Animal 
Regulators  of  the  present  day.  They  are  strictly  up-to- 
date  articles,  and  are  used  and  endorsed  by  many  thous- 
ands of  horse  owners  throughout  the  United  States,  Eu- 
rope and  other  foreign  countries. 


120  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

Every  package  is  sold  under  our  affidavit,  guaran- 
teeing its  freeness  from  poisons  or  other  injurious  ingre- 
dients. They  are  pure  and  wholesome,  and  can  be  used 
without  the  least  fear  of  bad  results  that  often  follow 
many  unreliable  remedies. 

We  manufacture  these  three  remedies  for  horses,  but 
do  not  claim  that  one  is  better  than  another.  We  simply 
let  our  patrons  take  their  choice,  with  the  understanding 
that,  no  matter  which  one  may  be  selected,  positively 
satisfactory  results  will  be  obtained. 

Our  well-known  remedies  control  and  regulate  the 
blood,  bowels  and  digestive  organs  ;  act  as  mild  tonics 
and  stimulants,  and  thereby  cure  and  prevent  the  many 
diseases  arising  from  these  causes,  and  are  used  with 
greater  success  than  any  known  preparation. 

They  are  composed  of  roots,  herbs  and  barks  of  the 
best  quality  only,  and  manufactured  with  the  greatest 
care  and  exactness  ;  the  utmost  cleanliness  is  observed. 

They  are  quick  in  action,  safe  to  use  and  high-grade 
preparations  in  every  particular. 

In  mixing  them  with  the  feed,  at  first  it  may  be 
well  to  dampen  them.  When  fed  dry,  however,  be  care- 
ful to  see  that  they  do  not  sift  through  the  feed  and  lie 
uneaten  at  the  bottom  of  the  trough.     -After  animals  be- 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  121 

come  acquainted  with  the  flavor,  they  are  quite  fond  of 
them  and  eat  them  with  a  relish. 


APHTHA. 

In  aphtha  both  lips  are  swollen  ;  the  horse  has  a 
full  appearance  and  will  not  eat.  The  tongue  is  swollen 
and  lumps  appear  on  the  tongue  and  around  the  mouth, 
which  are  hard  at  first,  but  soon  soften  and  contain  a 
clear  fluid,  finally  burst  and  a  scab  forms.  The  end  of 
the  disease  is  marked  by  the  falling  off  of  this  scab. 

There  is  nothing  better  for  aphtha  than  Pratts 
Food,  Pratts  Animal  Regulator  or  Pratts  Condition 
Powder,  and  they  can  be  used  in  conjunction  with  the 
following  :  Mix  four  ounces  of  borax  and  one  and  a  half 
pints  of  molasses  in  a  gallon  of  hot  water.  After  cool- 
ing the  head  should  be  held  up  and  half  a  pint  poured 
into  the  mouth  and  held  there  for  a  short  time  ;  then 
drop  the  head  and  allow  it  to  run  out.  Do  this  several 
times  each  day. 


BAD  TEETH. 
Frequently  a  tooth  will  grow  up  into  an  open  space, 
probably  where  a  tooth  has  been  lost.     It  keeps  on  grow- 
ing until  it  finally  pierces  the  gum.     The  horse  will  at 


122  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

times  throw  out  the  food  when  it  is  only  half  chewed. 
It  will  frequently  cause  nasal  gleet  or  running  of  the 
nose,  and  indigestion.  Sometimes  the  molars  become 
sharp  as  a  knife  and  cut  the  sides  of  the  mouth.  Proper 
filing  and  care  of  the  teeth  is  all  that  is  necessary. 
Wolf  teeth  are  superfluous  teeth  and  should  be  drawn 
out  

BIG  HEAD. 

Big  head  is  known  by  a  lump  or  bony  tumor  on 
the  face  between  the  nostrils  and  the  eye,  which  finally 
breaks  out  in  small  holes,  discharging  a  thick  substance. 
It  ends  in  a  complete  diseased  state  of  the  bony  structure. 
It  is  caused  by  a  weakness  in  the  parents  of  the  horse. 
It  is  even  known  to  descend  in  the  horse  family  for  four 
or  five  generations,  and  a  horse  bred  from  stock  like 
this  is  almost  sure  to  have  the  same  disease,  no  matter 
what  preventives  are  taken. 

It  is  caused  in  the  first  place  by  poor  food  and  lack 
on  the  part  of  the  animal  of  assimilating  the  phosphates. 
It  is  well  to  steer  clear  of  a  horse  where  this  disease  is 
known  to  have  been  in  the  family,  even  though  it  has 
been  a  couple  of  generations  back. 

A  horse  predisposed  to  big  head,  however,  can  have 
no  better  advantages  for  building  up  his  health  than  by 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  123 

feeding  Pratts  Food,  Pratts  Animal  Regulator  or  Pratts 
Condition  Powder  regularly  three  times  a  day.  They  aid 
him  in  digesting  his  food  and  assimilating  it  and  keep 
the  blood  and  bowels  in  good  shape.  Consequently,  if 
there  is  an  opportunity  of  the  horse  outliving  the  disease, 
these  remedies  will  be  the  best  assistance  he  can  have. 
At  the  same  time  the  tumor  should  be  removed  by 
making  a  cut  over  it  with  a  sharp  knife,  and  the  wound 
then  syringed  daily  with  one  fluid  drachm  of  solution  of 
carbolic  acid,  one  drachm  of  chloride  of  zinc,  mixed  in  a 
quart  of  water. 

However,  in  accordance  with  our  note  on  page  119, 
to  give  another  remedy,  we  mention  the  following,  to  be 
given  in  a  mash  night  and  morning,  one  tablespoonful 
at  a  dose  :  Two  ounces  of  powdered  ginger  ;  four  ounces 
of  Peruvian  bark  ;  six  ounces  of  phosphate  of  lime.  In 
addition,  give  one  drachm  of  iodide  of  potassium  in  a 
mash  each  day  at  noon. 


BLOODY  URINE. 

Bloody  urine  generally  consists  of  small  clots  of 
blood  in  the  urine.  Sometimes,  after  standing  a  while, 
they  mingle  with  the  urine  and  give  it  a  brownish 
color.     The  symptoms  are  as  follows  :  The  breathing  is 


124 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


BI,OODY  URINE. 


short  and  quick ;  the  pulse 
is  completely  lost  at  the 
jaw  ;  the  eyes  are  di- 
lated ;  the  head  droops 
and  the  back  is  arched  ; 
the  hind  feet  are  far  apart. 

Pratts  Food,  Pratls 
Animal  Regulator  or 
Pratts  Condition   Powder 

has  been  most  successful  in  cases  of  bloody  urine.  At 
first  it  should  be  given  in  double  doses  in  gruel  form, 
and  then  gradually  reduced,  as  the  animal  becomes 
better,  to  the  regular  dose  mixed  with  the  feed  of  the 
animal.  Where  these  remedies  are  fed  regularly  there 
is  no  danger  of  any  urinary  troubles.  Quiet  should 
be  maintained  around  the  horse  until  he  has  fully 
recovered. 

However,  as  per  our  note  on  page  119,  to  give  an- 
other remedy,  we  mention  the  following  :  One  drachm 
of  acetate  of  lead,  mixed  in  half  a  pint  of  water  and  ad- 
ministered in  one  dose.  If  there  is  no  improvement  in 
fifteen  minutes,  repeat  the  dose,  adding  an  ounce  of 
laudanum,  until  four  doses  have  been  given.  If  there  is 
still  no  relief,  give  the  following  in  one  dose  three  times 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  126 

a  day  :  Two  teaspoonfuls  of  alum  mixed  with  one  pint 
of  infusion  of  white  oak  bark.  As  the  horse  improves, 
iiscontinue  the  medicine. 


BUTTON  FARCY. 

Button  farcy  is  not  a  very  dangerous  disease.  It 
ippears  quickly  and  confines  itself  mostly  to  the  neck 
and  forequarters.  It  is  known  by  an  eruption  like  blunt, 
elevated  heat  spots,  which  go  away  in  a  short  time. 

There  is  nothing  better  than  Pratts  Food,  Pratts 
Animal  Regulator  or  Pratts  Condition  Powder  for  button 
farcy  ;  in  fact,  where  they  are  fed  constantly,  it  never 
occurs.  They  should  be  fed  in  double  doses  and  grad- 
ually decreased  to  the  usual  quantity.  The  first  treat- 
ment is  to  have  the  bowels  move  freely,  which  is  pro- 
duced by  feeding  our  remedies  in  extra  doses,  after 
which  they  can  be  reduced  to  the  regular  amount, 
which  will  keep  the  bowels  in  good  shape.  Feed  green 
food,  bran  mashes  and  crushed  oats. 

As  per  our  note  on  page  119,  however,  to  give  an 
additional  remedy,  we  men  don  the  same  solution  as 
given  for  prurigo,  on  page  167,  giving  a  pint  at  a  dose^ 
and  administer  once  a  day  for  about  thirty  days. 


126  PR^TTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

CHOKING. 

Choking  affects  an  animal  according  to  the  different 
parts  in  which  the  obstacle  may  be  lodged.  Of  course, 
the  most  simple  means,  if  it  can  be  reached,  is  to  place 
the  hand  in  the  mouth  and  remove  it.  If  this  cannot  be 
done,  it  requires  an  instrument  expressly  made  for  that 
purpose.  If  it  is  a  high  choke,  the  animal  throws  up  its 
head  and  lowers  its  hind  quarters.  If  it  is  a  low  choke, 
the  animal  refuses  to  eat,  and  when  drinking,  the  water 
will  be  ejected  by  way  of  the  nostrils.  There  is  a  dis- 
charge from  the  nose  ;  saliva  runs  from  the  mouth  and 
breathing  is  difficult. 

If  it  is  a  low  choke,  Pratts  Food,  Pratts  Animal 
Regulator  or  Pratts  Condition  Powder  should  be  given 
frequently  in  double  doses  in  gruel  form,  to  physic  the 
animal  and  keep  the  bowels  loose. 

As  per  our  note  on  page  119,  however,  we  give  the 
next  best  remedy,  as  follows :  Two  fluid  ounces  of 
laudanum  ;  two  fluid  ounces  of  sulphuric  ether  ;  mixed 
in  half  pint  of  water,  and  given  in  one  dose. 

Pratts  Remedies  give  strength  and  assist  a  horse  to 
combat  against  pain  or  distress.  In  an  accident  of  this 
kind  they  will  prevent  his  running  down  rapidly,  which, 
in  itself,  is  of  much  value. 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


127 


COLDS. 
Colds  result  from  neglect  and  exposure,  and  will  be 
noticed  by  the  dull  appearance  of  the  horse,  rough  coat; 
the  body  will  be  hot  in  parts  and  cold  in  others;  running 
of  the  eyes  and  a  discharge  from  the  nose. 

The  horse  should  be  kept 
warm  and  a  steam  bag  placed  to 
his  nose,  made  as  follows  :  Take 
a  two-bushel  bag  and  attach  straps 
to  it.  Put  in  a  peck  of  bran  and 
a  handful  of  hops  and  pour  in  a 
mixture  of  solution  of  carbolic 
acid  and  spirits  of  turpentine,  two 
tablespoonfuls  each,  and  mix  it 
thoroughly.  Put  the  nose  of  the 
horse  in  the  bag  and  strap  over 
the  head.  Cut  a  hole  in  the  bag 
below  the  horse's  nose  and  pour 
in  five  or  six  quarts  of  boiling  water,  and  keep  on  re- 
peating this  so  as  to  steam  the  horse.  This  may  be 
repeated  from  three  to  six  times  a  day  until  the  horse 
discharges  freely  from  the  nostrils,  and  then  reduce  as 
the  horse  gets  better.  Do  no':  bleed  the  horse  in  this 
condition,  and  do  not  weaken  him,  as  it  may  result  in 
pneumonia. 


NOSE  BAG. 


128  PRATTS  POIh  VERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

There  is  nothing  better,  either  as  a  preventive  or  a 
cure  for  colds,  than  Pratts  Heave,  Cough  and  Cold  Cure. 
It  will  astonish  you  with  the  quick  results.  This,  in  ad- 
dition to  the  above,  is  all  we  can  say  for  remedies  for  colds. 


ACUTE  COLIC. 

Colic  is  too  well  known  to  go  into  a  long  descrip- 
tion of  the  disease. 

We  can  simply  say  that  with  the  proper  care  and 
the  use  of  Pratts  Food,  Pratts  Animal  Regulator  or 
Pratts  Condition  Powder,  colic  never  occurs,  unless  the 
horse  is  filled  up  with  a  large  amount  of  cold  water,  bad 
grain  or  sour  food.  These  remedies  fed  in  double  doses 
at  first  in  gruel  form,  mixed  in  warm  water,  start  up 
digestion,  after  which  this  can  be  reduced  to  the  usual 
quantity  and  mixed  with  the  regular  feed.  Indigestion 
from  bolting  feed  and  other  causes  is  frequently  the 
cause  for  colic.  Pratts  Remedies  fed  constantly  will 
prevent  colic  from  indigestion.  If  your  horse  should  be 
taken  with  the  colic,  however,  there  is  a  remedy  which 
never  fails — Pratts  Veterinary  Colic  Cure;  one  dose 
cures.  Full  directions  are  plainly  printed  on  the  bottle. 
This  will  promptly  relieve  and  cure  the  animal. 

To  treat  by  injection,  use  four  fluid  ounces  of  tur- 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  129 

pentine  in  one  quart  of  strong  soapsuds,  and  inject  with 
a  syringe  through  the  anus. 

WIND  COLIC. 
Wind  colic  is  caused  by  grain  feed,  and  is  more 
serious  than  acute  colic.  This  disease  is  another  form 
of  indigestion,  which  can  be  prevented  by  the  use  of 
Pratts  Food,  Pratts  Animal  Regulator  or  Pratts  Condi- 
tion Powder.  If,  however,  the  horse  is  attacked  by  it, 
we  can  recommend  Pratts  Veterinary  Colic  Cure  in  this 
case,  the  same  as  we  did  in  acute  colic.  You  will  find 
only  one  dose  necessary  ;  however,  if  it  should  be  re- 
quired, it  can  be  repeated  in  a  half-hour. 


CHRONIC  COUGH. 
Chronic  cough  is  sometimes  caused  by  dusty  hay 
or  cold  water.  Sometimes  it  is  a  symptom  of  farcy, 
glanders,  broken  wind  or  heaves,  bronchitis  or  some 
chronic  disease  of  the  lungs,  stomach  or  bowels.  Special 
attention  should  be  paid  to  warm  blankets,  pure  air  and 
damp  food,  plenty  of  grooming,  nourishing  foods.  If 
there  is  a  swelling  of  the  throat,  it  should  be  blistered 
with  Pratts  Veterinary  Liniment.  Pratts  Heave,  Cough 
and  Cold  Cure  is  a  most  valuable  remedy  in  all  cases  of 
this  kind,  and  is  the  surest  and  quickest  preparation 
that  can  be  used.     As  per  our  note  om  page  119,  to  give 


130  PRATTS  POINTERS  CN  THE  HORSE 

anotlier  remedy,  we  mention  the  following  :  Ten  fluid 
ounces  of  tincture  of  squills  ;  two  fluid  ounces  of  fluid 
extract  of  lobelia  ;  thirty  drops  of  fluid  extract  of  gel- 
semium.  Mix  well,  and  give  a  tablespoonful  every  day. 
Increase  or  decrease  as  necessary. 


CRIBBING. 

Cribbing  is  frequently  caused  by  indigestion.  After 
the  habit  becomes  fixed,  it  is  hard  to  break  it  off".  There 
is  nothing  that  will  prevent  or  cure  cribbing,  if  from 
indigestion  and  not  from  habit,  so  thoroughly  as  Pratts 
Food,  Pratts  Animal  Regulator  or  Pratts  Condition 
Powder,  as  they  place  the  digestive  organs  of  the  animal 
in  good  condition  and  remove  the  cause.  If  the  horse  is 
a  confirmed  cribber  (from  habit),  a  good  plan  is  to  buckle 
a  strap  closely  around  the  neck. 


DISTEMPER  (OR  STRANGLES). 
Distemper,  or  Strangles,  as  it  is  sometimes  called,  is 
frequently  due  to  sudden  changes  in  the  weather,  and  in 
the  spring  and  fall  of  the  year,  when  the  animals  are 
shedding  their  coats,  the  blood  becomes  poisoned  during 
the  damp,  chilly  weather.  Damp,  poorly-ventilated  and 
foul-smelling  stables  are  frequently  the  cause.  The  dis- 
ease is  usually  contagious,  and  very  few  horses  escape  it. 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  131 

The  first  symptom  is  the  development  of  the  germs 
in  the  poisoned  blood  ;  these  germs  increase  in  immense 
quantities  all  over  the  animal's  body,  the  horse  shivers, 
his  ears  and  legs  become  cold,  his  coat  rough,  appetite 
poor ;  sore  throat,  with  trouble  in  swallowing,  naturally 
follows  ;  there  is  usually  a  swelling  between  the  jaws ; 
the  eyes  become  dull  and  the  lids  swell,  the  nostrils  are 
dry  and  dark  red,  followed  soon  by  a  thin,  water>'  dis- 
charge, and  still  later  on  by  a  thick,  acrid  matter  ;  the 
temperature  will  probably  run  up  from  loi  to  103,  and 
if  proper  treatment  is  not  given  within  a  day  or  two,  the 
temperature  may  run  up  as  high  as  104  or  105,  in  which 
case  a  heavy  cough  will  develop,  and  the  horse  will  act 
as  if  in  great  pain,  the  eyes  will  become  filmy  and  nearly 
closed. 

As  soon  as  any  of  the  above  symptoms  are  noticed, 
the  horse  should  at  once  be  well  blanketed,  removed  from 
all  draughts,  and  given  plenty  of  pure  air,  cold  water 
frequently  given  in  small  quantities,  and  his  strength 
kept  up  by  feeding  him  anything  that  he  will  eat. 

When  the  swelling  between  the  jaws  comes  to  a 
head,  a  cut  should  be  made  to  allow  the  pus  to  run  out. 
If  swelling  does  not  come  to  a  head,  apply  Pratts  Vet- 
erinary  lyiniment  with   a  brush   night  and  morning. 


132  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

Bandage  the  throat  with  flannel  after  each  application. 
In  case  horse  breathes  with  difficulty,  use  nose  bag  as 
described  on  page  127. 

The  horse  should  be  treated  with  Pratts  Distemper 
cure,  as  follows  : — 

For  an  ordinary  case  of  distemper,  give  one  tea- 
spoonful  of  Pratts  Distemper  Cure  three  times  a  day  after 
each  feeding  time. 

For  severe  cases  of  distemper  give  two  teaspoonfuls 
of  Pratts  Distemper  Cure  three  times  a  day  after  each 
feeding  time. 

For  Colts: — Give  one  teaspoonful  of  Pratts  Distem- 
per Cure  twice  a  day  after  each  feeding  time. 

In  case  of  fever  give  Pratts  Prepared  Fever  Powder, 
which  will  quickly  reduce  the  temperature  to  normal. 

In  addition  to  the  above  directions,  it  is  important 
to  get  up  a  thorough  circulation  by  rubbing  the  legs 
well  with  the  dry  hand,  and  then  wrap  with  thick  flan- 
nel bandages. 


DROPSY. 


Dropsy  can  be  noticed  by  the  pulse  being  hard  and 
small,  with  about  58  to  62  beats  a  minute.     The  head 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


133 


DROPSY  OF  ABDOMEN. 


droops,  the  horse  will 
not  eat,  the  mouth  is 
dry.      By  pressing  on 
the  abdomen  the  horse 
will  groan.     The  horse 
will  lie  down  and  re- 
main  in  one   position 
for  a  long  while.     The 
horse  will  be  very  thirsty,  and  by  slapping  one  side  of 
the  horse  and  placing  the  ear  to  the  other,  the  water  can 
be  detected.     The  horse  will  be  hide-bound  and  the  hair 
in  his  tail  will  drop  out.     When  the  disease  reaches  this 
stage  the  horse  dies.     Where  Pratts  Food,  Pratts  Ani- 
mal Regulator  or  Pratts  Condition  Powder  is  fed  regu- 
larly dropsy  does  not  occur,  and  we  can  also  recommend 
these  remedies   as   the   greatest  cures   known.      They 
should  be  given  in  double  doses  in  gruel  form  at  first, 
and  gradually  reduced  until  the  bowels  become  natural, 
mixing  with  the   regular  feed.      We   also   recommend 
applying  small  blisters  to  the  abdomen.     The  animal 
must  not  be  worked  while  affected  by  dropsy.     In  ac- 
cordance with  our  note  on  page   119,  to  give  another 
remedy,  we  mention  :  One  scruple  of  extract  of  bella- 
donna ;  one-quarter  grain  of  strychnine  ;  half  a  drachm 
of  iodide  of  iron  ;    and  add  enough  powdered  quassia 


134  TRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

and  extract  of  gentian  to  make  a  mass,  and  give  this 
pill  niglit  and  morning.  Increase  the  strychnine  every 
other  day  until  one  grain  to  a  dose  is  reached,  and  the 
iodide  of  iron  the  same  way  until  a  drachm  and  a  half 
is  given  at  one  dose. 


ACUTE  DYSENTERY. 
This  disease  is  often  caused  by  administering  medi- 
cines of  a  poisonous  character  to  the  horse,  as  purgatives, 
such  as  aloes,  croton  oil,  etc.,  and  will  at  first  appear  to 
be  colic,  but  the  violent  dysentery  following  shows  the 
true  state  of  aflfairs.  The  water  becomes  discolored  and 
has  an  ofifensive  odor.  The  horse  is  extremely  thirsty 
and  his  position  shows  that  he  has  pain. 

Pratts  Food,  Pratts  Animal  Regulator  or  Pratts  Con- 
dition Powder,  given  in  gruel  form  in  double  doses  at 
first,  and  then  gradually  reduced  to  the  regular  quantity 
and  mixed  with  the  feed,  is  a  sure  cure  for  dysentery. 
An  injection  of  one  quart  of  starch  water,  with  one 
ounce  of  laudanum  mixed  in  it,  should  be  made  into  the 
bowels  every  half  hour.  Our  remedies  will  also  build 
up  the  horse  after  an  attack  of  this  kind  in  half  the  time 
it  would  take  without  their  use. 

However,  as  per  our  note  on  page  119,    to  give 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  136 

another  remedy,  we  mention  the  following,  to  be  given 
in  one  dose  every  quarter  of  an  hour  :  Half  a  fluid  ounce 
liquor  potassa  ;  one  fluid  ounce  tincture  catechu  ;  one 
fluid  ounce  of  sulphuric  ether  ;  three  fluid  ounces  of 
laudanum  ;  one  ounce  of  powdered  chalk. 


DYSENTERY  IN  COLTS— SCOURS. 
This  disease  should  not  be  checked  too  suddenly. 
Pratts  Food,  Pratts  Animal  Regulator  or  Pratts  Condi- 
tion Powder  will  not  only  cure  this  by  regiilating  the 
bowels,  but  it  will  prevent  scours  in  colts  and  make 
them  strong  and  healthy  in  every  particular.  They 
should  be  fed  in  gruel  form  and  double  doses  at  first,  and 
then  gradually  reduced  to  the  usual  quantity  and  mixed 
with  the  regular  feed.  However,  as  per  our  note  on 
page  119,  we  give  another  remedy,  as  follows  :  Place  a 
handful  of  inner  white  oak  bark  in  a  quart  of  boiling 
water,  allow  it  to  stand  until  cool,  add  an  ounce  of 
laudanum,  and  give  a  teacupful  night  and  morning. 
This  remedy  can  be  made  stronger  should  the  case 
require  it. 

EPILEPSY. 
Epilepsy  is  a  disease  of  the  brain  and  nervous  sys- 
tem.    The  horse,  when  violently  attacked,  will  run  into 


136  PRATTS  TO  INTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

houses,  fences  and  other  obstacles.  Sometimes  the 
horse  will  fall  and  lie  on  the  ground  until  the  fit  is  over. 
Should  a  horse  at  any  time  act  strangely,  his  actions 
should  be  looked  into,  as  it  may  be  a  symptom  of  epilepsy. 
Regularity  and  care  in  feeding  and  driving  are  neces- 
sary. There  is  nothing  more  successful  for  the  preven- 
tion of  epilepsy  than  the  constant  feeding  of  Pratts 
Food,  Pratts  Animal  Regulator  or  Pratts  Condition 
Powder.  They  have  helped  thousands  of  cases.  Of 
course,  it  is  necessary  to  use  care  in  a  case  of  this  kind 
as  to  the  food  of  the  horse  and  how  he  is  worked.  In 
case  of  a  sudden  attack,  a  double  dose  of  either  of  our 
remedies  should  be  given  at  once,  and  after  a  movement 
of  the  bowels,  reduced  to  the  regular  dose,  or  a  quantity 
sufficient  to  keep  the  bowels  regular.  As  per  our  note 
on  page  119,  to  give  another  remedy,  we  name  the  fol- 
lowing :  One-half  fluid  ounce  of  tincture  of  ginger  ;  one 
drachm  of  bromide  of  potassium  ;  one  drachm  of  bro- 
mide of  ammonium  ;  mixed  in  half  a  pint  of  water  and 
given  in  one  dose  twice  a  day,  until  the  horse  improves, 
and  then  reduce  to  once  each  day  until  cured. 


EXCESS  IN  URINATING. 
This  disease  is  known  as  diabetes,  and  occasionally 
results  seriously.     Sometimes  it  happens  from  giving  a 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  137 

horse  turpentine,  which  can  readily  be  detected  by  dip- 
ping a  piece  of  blotting  paper  in  the  urine,  and  placing 
it  near  the  nose  to  see  whether  it  has  the  odor  of  violets. 
If  it  has,  turpentine  has  been  administered  to  the  horse. 
If  sweet  spirits  of  nitre  has  been  given  the  horse,  by 
dipping  the  blotting  paper  in  the  urine,  and  touching  it 
with  fire,  it  will  burn  very  fiercely. 

The  horse  is  very  thirsty  and  weak.  He  should  be 
given  flaxseed  tea  in  large  quantity,  a  pail  full  should  be 
kept  within  the  animal's  reach  at  all  times,  and  bran 
mashes,  scalded  or  crushed  oats,  only  should  be  fed, 
mixed  with  Pratts  Food,  Pratts  Animal  Regulator  or 
Pratts  Condition  Powder.  The  horse  should  be  well 
groomed  and  cleaned.  The  quick  action  of  Pratts 
Remedies  in  a  case  like  this  is  very  pronounced,  and 
will  in  most  cases  give  prompt  relief.  They  should  at 
first  be  given  in  double  doses,  and  in  gruel  form,  re- 
duced as  the  trouble  is  remedied.  However,  as  per  our 
note  on  page  119,  to  give  another  remedy,  we  mention 
the  following  :  One  drachm  of  iodide  of  iron,  with  suflS- 
cient  flaxseed  meal  and  honey  added  to  mix  it  well,  and 
give  each  day  in  one  dose. 


138  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

FAULTY  CASTRATION. 

This  sometimes  occurs  from  the  cut  being  too  small, 
or  the  cord  left  too  long,  which  hangs  out  and  becomes 
red.  It  can  be  noticed  by  a'  straddling  walk  and  fever- 
ishness,  as  well  as  the  hanging  out  of  the  cord.  It  is 
easily  remedied  :  make  the  cut  larger  and  push  the 
cord  back. 


FEVER. 

As  is  well  known,  many  diseases  of  horses  are  ac- 
companied with  more  or  less  alarming  symptoms  of  fever. 
In  all  such  cases,  in  addition  to  treating  the  specific  dis- 
ease, it  is  absolutely  necessary,  in  order  to  avoid  more 
serious  complications,  that  the  temperature  of  the  ani- 
mal be  reduced  to  normal. 

For  this  purpose,  the  wise  horse-owner  should  at  all 
times  keep  on  hand,  ready  for  every  emergency,  a  sup- 
ply of  some  safe  and  reliable  fever  powder. 

One  of  the  most  experienced  veterinary  surgeons  in 
the  United  States  has  furnished  us  with  his  private 
formula  for  a  fever  powder,  which  has  been  used  suc- 
cessfully in  thousands  of  cases,  and  which  we  now  are 
offering  to  the  public  under  the  name  of  Pratts  Prepared 
Fever  Powder.     We  recommend  its  use  in  all  cases  of 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  139 

fever  for  horses,  brood  mares,  stallions  and  colts  at  all 
ages. 

Fever  can  be  detected  by  placing  the  hands  over 
the  nostrils,  in  the  mouth  or  the  rectum,  or  in  the  cleft 
between  the  hind  legs.  In  fact,  the  horse  will  feel  un- 
naturally hot  anywhere  on  the  body,  but  the  points 
mentioned  above  are  the  most  notable.  Sometimes  the 
ears  and  cannon  bones  are  as  hot  as  the  rest  of  the  body. 
Then,  again,  they  are  cold,  in  which  case  it  is  due  to 
irregular  circulation.  The  normal  pulse  of  the  horse  is 
38  to  45  times  per  minute,  and  can  be  felt  by  placing 
the  fingers  under  the  jaw. 

In  case  of  fever  the  pulse  will  be  increased  60  to  90 
or  even  100.  The  breathing  is  increased  from  14  to  36 
or  even  more,  and  can  be  detected  by  placing  the  ear 
back  of  the  foreleg. 

At  first  the  appetite  is  usually  affected.  Sometimes 
a  horse  may  not  eat  at  all.  There  is  a  general  differ- 
ence, however,  among  horses  in  this  respect  with  the 
same  amount  of  fever.  High-bred  horses  may  not  eat 
at  all,  while  lower-bred  horses  may  eat  hay  all  during 
the  fever. 

The  horse  will  be  thirsty,  but  drink  very  little  at  a 
time.  A  bucket  of  water  should  be  kept  where  the  horse 
can  drink  whenever  he  desires.     The  skin  will  be  dry 


140  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

and  the  hair  stand  on  ends.  At  first  a  horse  will  not 
sweat,  but  later  on  he  will  sweat  freely.  If  the  horse 
breaks  out  in  a  warm  sweat,  it  is  a  favorable  symptom. 

The  mucous  membranes,  which  can  be  examined 
in  the  eyes  and  mouth,  will  show  a  rosy  or  deep  red 
color  at  first.  If  the  fever  is  caused  by  an  extended 
attack  of  pneumonia,  influenza,  etc.,  the  membranes  will 
take  on  a  tinge  of  yellow. 

At  first,  in  a  fever,  the  gland  secretions  are  checked 
and  the  tongue  and  inside  of  the  cheeks  covered  with  a 
bad-smelling  coating  ;  a  horse  generally  becomes  con- 
stipated and  his  digestion  poor,  which  frequently,  later 
on,  produces  diarrhoea.  Sometimes  urine  stops  alto- 
gether, then,  again,  the  horse  passes  very  little  urine  of 
a  dark  color,  as  the  fever  wears  ofi'.  At  a  later  period  a 
horse  may  urinate  very  freely,  which  shows  the  fever  is 
decreasing  and  the  horse  getting  better. 

At  the  very  first  sign  of  fever  a  horse  should  be  sep- 
arated as  far  from  the  other  horses  as  possible,  so  he 
may  be  kept  quiet  and  rest.  He  should  be  put  in  a  box 
stall,  with  the  stall  darkened  and  free  from  all  draughts. 
The  horse  should  be  fed  lightly  as  follows  :  Carrots, 
apples,  vegetables,  grain,  bran  mashes — in  fact,  any- 
thing that  will  encourage  the  appetite,  but  the  animal 
must  not  be  fed  too  strong,  and  under  no  circumstances 


PR/tTTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  141 

should  the  horse  be  worked  until  fully  recovered.  Give 
Pratts  Prepared  Fever  Powder  as  directed  below,  and 
as  soon  as  fever  stops,  discontinue  the  powders,  and  do 
not  work  the  horse  until  he  gets  his  natural  strength 
and  is  fully  recovered. 

Give  one  of  Pratts  Fever  Powders  twice  a  day  for 
three  days,  and  follow  up  this  treatment  with  daily 
doses  of  Pratts  Food  for  Horses  and  Cattle.  This  will 
supply  the  necessary  tonic  to  the  sick  horse,  which  is 
necessary  to  build  up  his  run-down  condition. 

For  two-year-old  colts,  give  one-half  the  quantity  of 
powder. 

For  one-year-old  colts,  give  one- fourth  the  quantity. 

To  give  Pratts  Fever  Powders,  open  the  horse's 
mouth,  take  the  tongue  in  the  left  hand,  and  empty  the 
Powder  on  the  back  part  of  the  tongue. 


FISTULOUS  WITHERS. 
This  disease  looks  like  poll  evil,  only  it  is  found  on 
the  withers.  When  it  appears  it  is  about  as  large  as  an 
tgg.  To  remedy,  take  a  sharp-pointed  knife,  cut  through 
the  middle,  upward  and  outward  ;  then  apply  caustic, 
and  keep  it  wet  with  a  solution  of  one  drachm  of  car- 
bolic acid,  mixed  in  a  pint  of  water,  and  keep  it  covered 


142  PR/1TTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

with  a  tarred  rag  to  keep  the  flies  from  troubling  the 
horse.  Where  the  disease  has  been  neglected,  an  opera- 
tion should  be  performed  similar  to  that  mentioned  under 
poll  evil,  and  should  only  be  done  by  a  person  skilful 
in  cases  of  this  kind. 

The  constant  Feeding  of  Pratts  Food,  Pratts  Ani- 
mal Regulator  or  Pratts  Condition  Powder  will  greatly 
benefit  the  horse  and  assist  in  a  speedy  recovery,  keep- 
ing the  blood,  bowels  and  digestive  organs  in  normal 
condition. 

GLANDERS. 

All  that  a  horse-owner  wishes  to  know  about  glanders 
is  enough  to  detect  that  the  horse  positively  has  the  dis- 
ease, and  then  have  the  animal  killed. 

The  symptoms  are  as  follows  :  Shivering  and  stiflf- 
ness,  which  sometimes  continue  for  days.  A  free  dis- 
charge of  thin  greenish  matter  under  the  jaw.  The 
glands  under  the  jaw  are  enlarged  and  immovable  ;  they 
becomed  inflamed  and  burst  and  emit  a  bloody  substance. 
Wherever  this  discharge  touches  the  animal,  it  takes  ofl" 
the  hair.  The  nostrils  are  swollen  ;  there  is  a  discharge 
from  them,  and  notice  should  be  taken  while  the  horse 
is  drinking,  if  this  discharge  drops  into  the  water  and 
sinks,  it  is  glanders,  and  if  it  floats,  it  is  not.     This  is 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  143 

crtnsidered  a  sure  test  by  many  authorities.  When  the 
discharge  begins,  it  has  a  gluey,  starch-like  appearance 
and  is  very  tough. 

Great  care  should  be  taken  in  coming  in  contact 
with  the  horse,  as  the  disease  has  been  contracted  by 
persons  working  around  an  affected  animal. 


GRUBS  IN  THE  SKIN. 

They  can  be  removed  by  opening  the  skin  with  a 
knife  and  squeezing  them  out. 


HIDE-BOUND. 
Hide-bound  is  caused  by  neglect,  poor  food,  indi- 
gestion and  exposure.  Where  Pratts  Food,  Pratts  Ani- 
mal Regulator  or  Pratts  Condition  Powder  is  fed,  hide- 
bound never  occurs.  As  a  preventive,  they  should  be 
given  in  the  usual  doses  with  the  regular  feed.  If  the 
horse  has  become  hide-bound,  they  should  be  given  in 
double  doses  in  gruel  form  until  the  bowels  are  moved 
freely,  and  then  reduce  gradually  until  the  bowels  are 
regular.  As  per  our  note  on  page  119,  however,  to  give 
another  remedy,  we  mention  the  following  ;  One  fluid 
ounce  tincture  muriate  of  iron  ;  half  a  fluid  ounce  Fowl- 
er's solution  of  arsenic  ;  mixed  in  a  pint  of  water,  and 
given  in  one  dose  twice  a  day. 


144  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

HEAVES. 

Heaves  will  be  noticed  by  wheezing  and  is  also  gen- 
erally accompanied  by  a  cough.  It  is  very  often  caused 
by  overfeeding  on  clover,  chafif,  dry  bran,  oats,  or  food 
which  contains  very  little  nutriment,  but  is  bulky. 
Dusty  hay  is  also  very  likely  to  cause  this  disease,  as 
well  as  violent  exercise.  Both  young  and  old  horses  are 
subjeet  to  it,  but  it  more  frequently  affects  the  older 
animals.  It  is  frequently  accompanied  with  a  ravenous 
appetite.  It  weakens  the  animal  and  he  is  easily  fatigued. 
A  horse  affected  with  heaves  should  in  all  cases  have  a 
well-ventilated  stable. 

Turn  the  horse  out  into  pasture  where  there  is  no 
clover.  The  horse  should  be  fed  on  cornstalks  or  laxa- 
tive food  and  dry  grain,  clean  oats,  but  very  little  hay, 
and  this  should  be  dampened  and  only  given  at  night. 
Turnips  and  carrots  are  good  feed.  Water  should  be 
given  in  small  quantities,  but  frequently.  A  little  lime 
added  to  the  water  occasionally  is  good  for  the  horse. 

We  strongly  urge  the  use  of  Pratts  Heave  Cure  to 
prevent  and  cure  this  troublesome  disease.  A  single 
day's  treatment  helps  the  worst  case  of  heaves,  several 
doses  will  show  a  vast  improvement,  and  in  a  few  days 
the  cough  will  stop  and  the  breathing  be  natural. 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


146 


In  accordance  with  our  note  on  page  119,  we,  how- 
ever, mention  another  remedy,  as  follows  :  Two  ounces 
of  pulverized  belladonna  leaves  once  a  week,  and  the 
following  dose  given  night  and  morning  :  One  drachm 
of  Jamaica  ginger  ;  four  grains  arsenic  ;  one  drachm  of 
bicarbonate  of  soda. 


INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  AIR  PASSAGES  (BRONCHITIS). 
This  disease  is  the  result  of  a  cold  caught  while  the 
horse  is  overheated.     In  the  start  there  will  at  times  be 


BI^ANKETING  FOR  BRONCHITIS. 

noted  only  a  slight  cough,  and  the  horse  will  eat  as 
usual ;  but  soon  the  cough  increases,  the  animal  declines 
to  move  around,  breathing  becomes  short,  quick  and 
loud;   the  nose  is  red  and  the  mouth  hot  and  dry.     The 


146  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

body  and  legs  are  of  uneven  temperature.  The  nose  bag, 
described  on  page  127,  should  be  applied.  The  stable 
must  be  warm  ;  scalded  hay  should  be  bandaged  to  the 
throat,  and  repeated  as  soon  as  cool  ;  the  body  bandaged 
with  flannels  dipped  in  cold  water,  from  the  shoulder  to 
the  middle  of  the  back,  clear  around  the  body  of  the 
horse,  and  renew  just  as  soon  as  the  heat  of  the  body 
dries  the  blankets  or  flannels.  Keep  the  horse  on  gruel 
or  soft  foods.  After  the  horse  has  recovered,  the  dry 
blankets  should  be  worn  at  least  ten  days  in  the  same 
manner. 

Pratts  Food,  Pratts  Animal  Regulator  or  Pratts 
Condition  Powder  have  curad  a  number  of  cases  of  in- 
flammation of  the  air  passages,  with  the  care  mentioned 
above,  and  are  great  preventives  from  all  acute  attacks 
by  the  fine  condition  a  horse  is  kept  in  by  their  constant 
use.  As  per  our  note  on  page  119,  to  give  another 
remedy,  we  mention  the  following  to  be  given  every 
half  hour  in  one  dose  :  One  fluid  ounce  of  laudanum  ; 
one  fluid  ounce  of  sulphuric  ether  ;  mixed  in  half  a 
pint  of  water.  If,  in  the  course  of  a  couple  of  hours,  the 
horse  is  no  better,  give  the  following,  dose  :  Half  a 
drachm  of  belladonna,  taken  up  in  an  ounce  of  water, 
and  twenty  drops  of  tincture  of  aconite  added.  Give 
every  three-quarters  of  an  hour  to  an  hour  until  the  horse 


PRy4TTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  147 

is  better.     If  the  bowels  are  costive,  inject  warm  soap 
suds.     The  food  should  be  entirely  in  gruel  form. 


INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  EYES. 
Generally  caused  by  a  blow  or  foreign  substance 
getting  under  the  lid.  The  best  plan  is  to  hang  a  cloth 
over  the  eye  and  keep  it  wet  constantly  with  the  follow- 
ing solution  :  One  fluid  ounce  of  tincture  of  arnica  ;  half 
a  fluid  ounce  of  laudanum  ;  mixed  in  two  quarts  of  water. 
As  soon  as  possible,  examine  the  eye  and  remove  any 
dirt  or  other  substance  that  may  be  lodged  there. 


INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  STOMACH. 

This  disease  is  shown  sometimes  by  colic,  irregu- 
larity of  the  bowels,  or  uncertain  appetite  and  looseness 
of  the  bowels  at  times.  This  may  be  followed  by  ex- 
treme costiveness.  The  disease  is  accompanied  by  a  dry 
cough,  catchy  breath,  and  the  mouth  is  cold.  The  eyes 
are  sunken,  the  belly  baggy  and  the  hair  rough.  The 
horse  becomes  thin  and  is  very  easily  thrown  into  a  per- 
spiration or  sweat.  The  horse  will  gnaw  at  bricks  and 
mortar,  or  wood,  and  will  eat  its  bedding  or  dirty  straw. 

The  most  successful  remedies  that  we  know  of  for 
this  disease  are  Pratts  Food,  Pratts  Animal  Regulator  or 


148  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

Pratts  Condition  Powder,  if  constantly  fed.  However, 
it  will  not  occur  unless  from  acute  causes  like  sudden 
colds  from  exposure,  etc.  As  soon  as  the  symptoms  be- 
come apparent,  either  of  our  remedies  should  be  given 
in  double  doses  in  gruel  form,  to  carry  ofif  the  inflam- 
mation through  the  bowels,  after  which  an  easily  digested 
diet  of  soft  food  should  be  given,  reducing  to  the  regular 
doses  during  recovery.  As  per  our  note  on  page  119,  to 
give  another  remedy,  we  name  the  following  :  Half  a 
drachm  of  extract  of  belladonna  ;  half  a  grain  of  strych- 
nine ;  half  a  drachm  of  extract  of  gentian  ;  half  a  drachm 
of  carbonate  of  ammonia  ;  mixed  with  pow^dered  quassia 
so  as  to  make  a  ball,  and  given  night  and  morning  for 
seven  days.  Then  give  the  following  solution  night  and 
morning  :  One  fluid  ounce  of  muriated  tincture  of  iron  ; 
half  a  fluid  ounce  of  tincture  of  ipecacuanha  ;  one  fluid 
ounce  of  laudanum  ;  half  a  fluid  ounce  of  solution  of 
arsenic ;  mixed  in  a  pint  of  water  and  given  in  one 
dose. 


INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  KIDNEYS. 
This  disease  will  be  noted   by  a  weakened  pulse, 
pulse  rapid,  short  breathing,  the  mucous  membranes  are 
pale,  and  the  horse  frequently  turns  his  head  back  to- 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  149 

wards  the  kidneys.  His  head  is  lowered,  the  back  arched 
and  the  hind  feet  placed  wide  apart.  If  the  hand  is 
pressed  over  the  kidneys,  the  horse  flinches.  The  horse 
will  not  move  around  and  seldom  lies  down.  The  urine 
is  scanty,  and  sometimes  will  have  pus  and  matter  in  it, 

and  has  a  strong  odor. 
Then  again  at  times  it 
will  be  deeply  tinged  with 
blood.  Sometimes  the 
horse  perspires  freely  and 
the  urine  can  be  noticed 
.w^^e,        in  the  perspiration.     This 

INFI^AMMATION   OF   KIDNEYS.  iS     the     ISiSt    StagC     of     thc 

disease  and  death  generally  follows  very  quickly.  Many 
persons  test  for  this  disease  by  inserting  the  hand  into 
the  rectum  and  under  the  kidneys,  and  noting  whether 
they  are  very  hot,  which  is  a  sure  sign.  As  the  action 
is  accompanied  by  a  great  deal  of  pain,  care  must  be 
taken  that  the  horse  does  not  become  frenzied  and  in- 
jure both  himself  and  the  person  making  the  test. 

There  are  no  better  remedies  or  preventives  known  for 
kidney  troubles  than  Pratts  Food,  Pratts  Animal  Regu- 
lator or  Pratts  Condition  Powder.  As  a  preventive,  they 
should  be  given  regularly  three  times  a  day,  mixed  with 
the  regular  feed.     As  a  curative,  they  should  be  fed  at 


150  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

first  in  large  doses  in  gruel  form,  and  gradually  decreased 
until  the  bowels  become  regular.  In  addition,  apply  a 
warm  mustard  poultice  to  the  loins  ;  cover  with  oil 
cloth  and  a  blanket  to  retain  the  heat  and  moisture  ;  and 
inject  into  the  rectum  every  hour  one  quart  of  warm 
linseed  tea  into  which  two  tablespoonfuls  of  laud- 
anum have  been  mixed,  or  starch  water  may  be  used  in 
place  of  the  linseed  tea.  This  treatment  alone,  with  the 
proper  care  and  feeding  of  soft  and  nourishing  food,  will, 
if  the  case  is  not  too  far  advanced,  result  in  a  speedy 
recovery. 

However,  as  per  our  note  on  page  119,  to  give  other 
remedies,  we  would  mention  the  following  :  Give  one 
dose  of  twenty  drops  of  croton  oil,  mixed  with  half  a 
drachm  of  extract  of  belladonna.  Sprinkle  the  follow- 
ing dose  on  the  tongue  every  hour  during  the  acute 
stage  of  the  disease  :  One  drachm  of  opium,  mixed  with 
one  scruple  of  calomel.  As  the  animal  recovers,  give 
three  times  a  day  the  following  dose  :  Half  a  drachm  of 
extract  of  belladonna  ;  two  drachms  of  opium. 


INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  TESTICLES. 
This  disease  often  occurs  from  too  much  service  or 
driving  too  far.     Sometimes  it  affects  the  glands.     The 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  161 

horse  will  travel  wide  behind,  and  will  work  his  testicles 
up  and  down.  They  will  be  very  sensitive  and  large. 
The  horse  should  have  rest  both  as  to  service  and  driving. 
They  should  be  bathed  freely  with  witch  hazel  or  arnica 
or  any  other  soothing  lotion.  Two  ounces  of  laudanum 
with  a  little  acetate  of  lead,  in  a  quart  of  water,  will  also 
be  very  beneficial.  If  there  is  any  pus  forming,  it  must 
be  allowed  to  run  out  by  making  an  opening  with  a 
knife.  In  bad  cases  it  is  necessary  to  castrate  the  ani- 
mal to  save  its  life.  Pratts  Food,  Pratts  Animal  Regu- 
lator or  Pratts  Condition  Powder  purify  the  blood  and 
place  a  stallion  in  first-class  condition.  They  make  him 
strong,  and  enable  him  to  stand  more  service  than 
otherwise.  In  cases  of  inflammation,  if  given  in  the  usual 
quantity  at  each  feeding  time,  an  improvement  will  be 
noticed  immediately.  However,  as  per  our  note  on 
page  119,  to  give  another  remedy,  we  mention  another 
recipe,  as  follows  :  Ten  drops  of  aconite  at  a  dose, 
given  in  half  a  pint  of  water  three  times  daily  ;  which 
will  allay  all  feverishness. 


INFLUENZA  (EPIZOOTIC). 
Influenza  usually  attacks  a  horse   very   suddenly. 
The  head,  ears  and  lips  droop,  the  eye  is  partly  closed, 


162  PRATTS  TOINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

and  the  back  arched.  There  is  a  dry  cough  and  rapid 
breathing,  pulse  quick,  urine  scanty,  dung  hard  and 
covered  with  mucus.  The  membrane  of  the  nose  and 
eyes  is  red,  and  that  is  the  reason  it  is  termed  by  some 
as  ''pink  eye."  There  is  a  noise  in  the  windpipe, 
which  can  be  detected  by  putting  the  ear  against  the 
horse.  The  disease  varies  in  its  symptoms  until  the 
horse  either  recovers  or  it  proves  fatal.  Sometimes 
the  urine  becomes  brown  or  dark  red.  We  have 
cured  thousands  of  cases  of  influenza  with  Pratts  Dis- 
temper and  Pink  Eye  Cure,  and  have  kept  all  the  horses 
in  a  stable  unattacked  well  by  using  it  as  a  preventive, 
and,  therefore,  we  consider  this  all  that  is  necessary  to 
cure  the  disease.  The  horse  must  be  kept  warm  with 
blankets  and  the  stall  should  be  warm. 

The  nose  bag  (as  shown  on  page  127)  is  a  most 
excellent  thing  in  a  case  of  this  kind  to  bring  the 
discharge  freely,  and  should  be  used  as  soon  as  the 
disease  is  noticed.  If  the  throat  is  sore,  the  back  of  the 
teeth  can  be  smeared  with  the  following  preparation  : 
Two  drachms  of  chlorate  of  potash  ;  one  drachm  of 
belladonna  ;  one  tablespoonful  of  vinegar  ;  one  teacupful 
of  honey. 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  163 

INJURIES  TO  THE  JAW. 
The  sore  must  be  cut  until  the  bone  is  reached,  and 
if  there  is  an  offensive  discharge,  it  should  be  washed 
three  or  four  times  daily  with  the  following :  One 
scruple  of  chloride  of  zinc  ;  half  a  fluid  ounce  of  lauda- 
num ;  mixed  in  a  pint  of  water.  The  opening  must  be 
sufficiently  large  to  permit  the  discharge  to  flow  freely. 
It  is  an  advantage  to  feed  Pratts  Food,  Pratts  Animal 
Regulator  or  Pratts  Condition  Powder,  as  they  purify 
the  blood  and  help  sores  of  all  kinds  to  heal  quickly. 


INJURIES  TO  THE  MOUTH. 
Generally  caused  by  jerking  the  lines.  The  best 
remedy  is  the  following  :  Half  an  ounce  of  laudanum  ; 
two  scruples  of  chloride  of  zinc  ;  mixed  in  two  pints  of 
water.  Bathe  frequently,  using  a  soft  sponge,  especially 
after  each  feeding  or  watering.  Soft  food  only  should 
be  given. 

LAMPAS. 

pampas  is  an  inflammation  of  the  bars  in  the  roof 
of  the  mouth,  and  is  caused  by  changing  young  horses 
from  pasture  to  dry,  hard  food.  Pratts  Food,  Pratts 
Animal    Regulator    or    Pratts    Condition    Powder  are 


164  PRATTS  POINTERS  OM  THE  HORSE 

excellent  remedies  in  this  case,  fed  in  the  usual  doses  ; 
along  with  the  feeding  of  soft  food,  such  as  bran  mashes, 
scalded  oats,  boiled  roots,  etc.,  for  several  days,  will 
completely  remedy  the  trouble. 


LKUCORRHCEA. 
This  is  a  catarrh  of  the  womb,  and  may  follow  the 
foaling.  It  will  be  known  by  a  white  discharge,  which 
will  have  a  bad  smell,  especially  if  it  is  caused  by  the 
retained  afterbirth.  All  fluid  must  be  drawn  from  the 
womb,  which  can  be  done  by  injecting  warm  water  ;  and 
then  a  solution  of  one  drachm  of  sulphate  of  zinc  in  a 
quart  of  water  should  be  injected  daily  to  purify  it. 
Feed  Pratts  Food,  Pratts  Animal  Regulator  or  Pratts 
Condition  Powder  at  this  time  to  keep  the  bowels,  blood, 
kidneys,  etc.,  in  condition  ;  they  will  do  much  toward 
helping  the  horse  to  recover  quickly. 


INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  WOMB. 

Can  be  noticed  by  colicky  pains,  twisting  of  thes 
tail,  and  shivering  fits.  There  is  also  a  disagreeable 
discharge  from  the  womb.  If  the  hand  is  inserted  into 
the  womb,  it  will  be  found  full  of  fluid  and  very  much 
inflamed.  This  fluid  must  be  drawn  off"  with  a  catheter, 
and  then  warm  water  injected  twice  a  day.     Immediately 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  155 

after,  inject  the  following  solution  :  Two  fluid  ounces  of 
laudanum  ;  onedrachmof  sulphate  of  zinc  ;  mixed  in  two 
quarts  of  water.  And  feed  Pratts  Food,  Pratts  Animal 
Regulator  or  Pratts  Condition  Powder  in  regular  doses  ; 
they  allay  inflammation  and  purify  the  whole  system. 

There  is  nothing  that  makes  foaling  so  healthy  and 
cleans  out  the  afterbirth  so  thoroughly  as  these  three 
remedies.  A  mare  fed  daily  on  them  during  the  time  of 
growing  the  foal  will  show  the  most  satisfactory  results, 
not  only  in  the  condition  of  the  mare,  but  in  the  condi- 
tion and  health  of  the  colt. 


LICE. 
Lice  result  from  various  causes  ;  most  generally  they 
are  caused  by  the  stable  being  situated  near  a  chicken 
house.  Dust  the  animal  thoroughly  with  Pratts  Pow- 
dered Lice  Killer,  rubbing  the  hair  the  wrong  way,  and 
work  the  powder  into  the  skin.  Pratts  Lice  Killer  will 
also  be  found  of  great  value  as  a  deodorizer  and  disin- 
fectant, to  purify  the  atmosphere  of  stables  and  barns. 


LOCK-JAW. 

Lock-jaw  is  a  spasm  of  the  muscular  system.  It 
is  generally  caused  by  a  wound  or  nervous  irritation  re- 
sulting from  overexertion,  exposure  or  careless  feeding. 


156 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


If  a  wound,  it  generally 
occurs  from  the  eighth 
to  the  fifteenth  day.  By 
raising  the  head,  as 
shown  in  the  illustra- 
tion, the  membrane 
across  the  lower  corner 
of  the  eye  will  nearly 
TOTING  FOR  i,ocK-jAw.  cover  the  eyeball.    The 

liorse  is  stiff  and  can  hardly  walk.  He  becomes  nervous 
and  excitable.  The  wound  may  become  dry,  or  dis- 
charge a  discolored  substance.  The  animal  will  stand 
for  days  in  the  same  spot,  and  cannot  eat  because  its 
jaws  are  fixed.  The  body  appears  hard  and  the  muscles 
are  rigid. 

Pratts  Food,  Pratts  Animal  Regulator  or  Pratts 
Condition  Powder  are  excellent  for  the  treatment  of  lock- 
jaw, if  given  in  double  doses,  at  first  in  gruel  form  and 
then  reduced  to  the  usual  quantity.  They  help  to  ease 
the  horse  by  opening  the  bowels,  and  restore  the  strength. 
The  shoes  should  be  removed  and  the  horse  placed  on  a 
dirt  floor.  In  case  the  jaws  are  fixed,  the  horse  can  be 
fed  by  means  of  a  rubber  tube  placed  through  the  nos- 
trils, and  a  stomach  pump  to  pump  the  food  into  him. 
A  skilled  veterinarian  only   should   do   this.     Do   not 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  157 

blister  the  animal.  Any  hard  or  extreme  measures  will 
make  him  worse  ;  and  he  should  be  kept  perfectly  quiet, 
with  no  disturbing  noise  around. 

However,  as  per  our  note  on  page  1 19,  to  mention 
another  remedy,  we  give  the  following  :  Four  drachms 
of  extract  of  gentian  ;  four  drachms  of  aloes  ;  twenty 
drops  of  croton  oil ;  mixed  and  given  in  one  dose.  If 
this  does  not  move  the  bowels  in  four  or  five  hours, 
repeat  the  dose. 


MAI.I.ENDERS  AND  SALLENDERS. 

These  are  scurvy  patches  which  appear  at  the  back 
of  the  knee  and  in  front  of  the  hock.  If  not  attended  to, 
they  may  become  very  troublesome.  They  should  be 
kept  clean  and  Pratts  Veterinary  Healing  Ointment  ap- 
plied two  or  three  times  daily. 

The  feeding  of  Pratts  Food,  Pratts  Animal  Regula- 
tor or  Pratts  Condition  Powder  is  very  important  for 
all  skin  diseases,  as  they  cleanse  and  purify  the  blood 
and  keep  the  digestion  in  shape,  the  bowels  regular  and 
assist  in  a  speedy  recovery. 


MANGE,  OR  COMMON  STABLE  ITCH. 
Mange  is  generally  found  among  horses  that  are 
poorly  fed  and  neglected  in  grooming  and  cleaning.     It 


168  PRATTS  POINTERS  O.V  THE  HORSE 

is  very  contagious  and  usually  spreads  through  an  entire 
stable.  It  is  a  very  small  insect,  and  by  scratching  oflf 
some  of  the  dandruff  from  the  skin  and  placing  it  on 
white  paint  or  paper  in  a  bright  light,  smal',  shining 
objects  will  be  seen  moving  about  in  all  directions.  It 
is  first  noticed  in  the  roots  of  the  mane,  and  afterward 
spreads  over  the  whole  body  except  the  legs.  The  horse 
rubs  himself  against  the  stall  and  the  hair  will  drop  out, 
leaving  dry  spots  of  skin  exposed,  which  become  scabby. 
A  person  attending  a  mangy  horse  should  change  his 
clothing  and  wash  carefully  before  going  near  a  horse 
that  is  not  affected. 

It  is  a  good  plan  to  have  the  horse  stand  in  the  sun 
several  hours  a  day,  and  then  have  him  groomed  thor- 
oughly, to  remove  all  the  loose  scurf  possible.  Then 
apply  the  following  to  the  entire  body  :  Six  fluid  ounces 
of  glycerine  ;  two  drachms  of  carbolic  acid  crystals  ; 
mixed  in  one  quart  of  water.  The  next  day  the  horse 
should  be  thoroughly  washed  with  strong  soap,  and  sev- 
eral hours  later  apply  again  the  above  solution.  A  few 
days  later,  wash  it  off  and  repeat  the  application. 

Pratts  Veterinary  Healing  Ointment  will  cure  the 
raw  spots  quickly  and  should  be  applied  in  addition  to 
the  solution  after  the  horse  is  washed. 

A  horse  fed  Pratts  Food,  Pratts  Animal  Regulator 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  169 

or  Pratts  Condition  Powder  is  kept  in  robust  condition, 
and  consequently  is  not  subject  to  mange  ;  even  if  be 
comes  in  contact  with  mangy  horses,  he  is  less  liable  to 
be  affected  on  account  of  his  system  being  in  first-class 
condition. 


OVERDRIVING. 

The  horse  that  drops  in  his  tracks  from  overdriving 
should  be  treated  as  follows  :  Bleed  at  once,  a  full  pint ; 
cover  the  body  and  take  the  horse  to  the  nearest  stable 
as  soon  as  possible.  Keep  plenty  of  blankets  on  the 
horse,  bandage  the  legs,  cover  the  neck  and  keep  him 
as  warm  as  possible,  even  to  such  an  extent  as  having 
fire  in  the  stable,  or  tubs  of  hot  water. 

We  feel  that  the  mild,  stimulative  effect  of  Pratts 
Food,  Pratts  Animal  Regulator  or  Pratts  Condition 
Powder  will  bring  about  the  recovery  of  the  animal,  and 
if  fed  constantly,  insure  better  staying  powers,  and  pre- 
vent exhaustion,  when  in  many  cases  it  would  occur 
without  their  use.  However,  should  it  occur,  the  usual 
dose  of  these  remedies  should  be  immediately  given 
along  with  easily-digested  and  strength-giving  food  ; 
but  do  not  overload  the  stomach.  Pratts  Remedies 
should  be  given  in  such  quantities  that  will  create  an 


160  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

easy,  natural  movement  of  the  bowels.  Do  not  physic 
the  horse,  as  it  weakens  him  when  in  this  condition. 
Watch  him  carefully  for  thirty-six  hours. 


PARTIAL  PARALYSIS. 

This  generally  affects  either  one  or  both  hind  legs, 
more  frequently  in  trotting  horses,  and  results  from  long 
heats  and  fast  driving.  A  horse  once  affected  is  on  the 
downward  road.  He  can  be  patched  up,  but  never 
cured,  as  it  will  show  again  as  soon  as  he  is  driven  hard. 
The  animal  should  be  walked  regularly  and  not  excited, 
fed  well  and  given  plenty  of  grooming  and  rubbing. 
Brush  the  hind  quarters  well  several  times  a  day  with  a 
coarse  brush.  A  wet  flannel  should  be  placed  over  the 
small  of  the  back,  covered  with  a  piece  of  oil  cloth 
and  on  top  of  this  a  blanket.  Keep  the  flannel  wet  con- 
stantly. Give  soft  mashes  and  green  food.  Keep  the 
bowels  open. 

There  is  nothing  better  for  paralysis  than  Pratts 
Food,  Pratts  Animal  Regulator  or  Pratts  Condition 
Powder,  as  they  keep  the  bowels  open,  the  blood  pure 
and  the  digestion  in  good  shape.  A  double  dose  should 
at  once  be  given  ;  and  after  the  bowels  are  freely  opened, 
the  quantity  should  be  reduced  so  as  to  keep  the  bowels 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  161 

regular  and  healthy.  An  improvement  will  soon  be 
noticed.  As  per  our  note  on  page  119,  to  mention 
another  remedy,  we  name  the  following  :  One  grain  of 
iodide  of  iron  ;  half  a  grain  of  strychnine  ;  add  sufficient 
quassia  powder  and  molasses  to  n>ake  a  ball,  and  give  it 
night  and  morning.  At  the  end  of  a  few  weeks  increase 
the  strychnine  to  one  grain,  and  three  or  four  weeks 
after  make  it  a  grain  and  a  half. 


SPINAI,  MENINGITIS,  OR  COMPLETE  PARAI.YSIS. 

This  disease  often  occurs  from  injuries  to  the  spinal 
cord  by  hitting  the  animal  over  the  backbone.  He 
loses  complete  control  of  the  hind  legs,  and  has  no  feeling. 
Sometimes  there  is  no  apparent  cause  for  this  disease. 
Some  think  this  disease  is  contagious  ;  but  this  cannot 
be  substantiated.  The  horse  generally  dies  in  three  or 
four  days.  The  cords  and  muscles  along  the  entire  back 
are  subject  to  a  nervous  twitching,  and  the  pulse  is  low. 
If  the  horse  is  bled,  the  blood  is  thick  and  dark.  The 
urine  is  very  strong  and  offensive  and  dark  in  color. 

Wet  blankets,  wrung  out  of  warm  water,  should  be 
applied  for  three  or  four  days,  and  the  horse  put  in  a 
sling  as  soon  as  possible.  A  double  dose  of  Pratts  Food, 
Pratts  Animal  Regulator  or  Pratts  Condition  Powder  in 


162  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

gruel  form  should  be  given  to  move  the  bowels,  and  a 
plaster  of  mustard  and  vinegar  applied  over  the  loins 
and  kidneys.  The  legs  should  be  kept  warm  by  rubbing 
and  bandaging. 

Pratts  Remedies  are  very  helpful  in  this  case,  but 
we  would  not  pretend  to  recommend  them  as  a  sure 
cure  ;  in  fact,  we  don't  think  a  horse  amounts  to  much 
after  an  attack  of  this  kind.  However,  they  will  do 
more  for  him  than  anything  we  know  of,  and  if  fed  regu- 
larly, will  keep  him  in  as  good  condition  as  the  disease 
will  permit. 

However,  as  per  our  note  on  page  119,  we  mention 
the  next  best  remedy  as  follows  :  One  scruple  of  extract 
of  nux  vomica  ;  one  scruple  of  extract  of  belladonna  ; 
one  scruple  of  powdered  ergot  ;  given  in  a  mash  morn- 
ing and  evening,  or  drench  the  animal  with  it. 
PARALYSIS  OF  THE  EYE. 

This  is  caused  by  an  injury  to  the  eye,  or  from  com- 
plete exhaustion  of  the  nervous  vitality  of  the  animal. 
The  pupil  is  frequently  enlarged,  but  not  as  dark  as  or- 
dinarily, and  with  a  slight  milky  cast  of  greenish  tinge. 
A  good  test  for  paralysis  of  the  eye  is  to  keep  the  horse 
in  a  dark  stable  for  half  an  hour,  then  lead  him  into 
the  sunlight.  If  the  pupil  does  not  contract,  the  horse 
is  blind. 


PRylTTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  163 

PLEURISY. 

Pleurisy  comes  from  overdriving  or  exposure,  and 
generally  attacks  young  horses.  It  is  known  by  rigid 
muscles  and  a  dry  cough.  The  fore  foot  is  generally  on 
the  move,  and  the  breathing  is  short  and  quick.  By 
pressing  on  the  spaces  between  the  ribs,  you  are  sure  to 
detect  it ;  the  animal  will  shrink  and  often  tries  to  bite 
and  kick,  as  it  pains  him  severely. 

The  horse  should  be  bled  (about  a  pint)  and  the  legs 
bandaged  with  flannel. 

The  use  of  Pratts  Food,  Pratts  Animal  Regulator  or 
Pratts  Condition  Powder  as  a  preventive  and  cure  of 
pleurisy  is  well  known  by  all  who  have  used  them,  as  a 
horse  is  less  susceptible  to  colds  when  in  a  good  con- 
dition, which  is  assured  by  the  constant  feeding  of  these 
remedies.  Give  double  doses  in  gruel  form  at  the  first 
appearance  of  the  symptoms,  and  then  reduce  to  the 
quantity  necessary  to  bring  the  bowels  to  a  natural  state. 
At  the  same  time,  as  mentioned  in  our  note  on  page 
119,  to  give  another  remedy,  we  mention  the  following  : 
Twenty  drops  of  aconite  in  four  tablespoonfuls  of  warm 
water,  given  every  fifteen  minutes,  to  reduce  the  pulse 
and  fever.  As  soon  as  the  pulse  is  softened,  give  the  fol- 
lowing dose  every  two  hours  :  One  fluid  ounce  of  laud- 
anum ;  one  fluid  ounce  of  sulphuric  ether  ;  mixed  in  a 


164 


PR/1TTS  TOINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 


pint  of  water.  Continue  this  for  about  thirty-six  hours. 
Should  the  cough  still  continue,  use  the  nose  bag  des- 
cribed on  page  127.  Pratts  Remedies  will  assist  in 
giving  the  horse  strength  and  hasten  his  complete 
recovery. 


PNEUMONIA. 

Pneumonia  can  be  noted  by  the  following  symptoms: 
Fast  and   labored  breathing,  with  head   and   ears  in  a 

drooping  position.  The 
legs  are  cold  and  set 
wide  apart.  The  coat 
is  rough,  body  cold, 
bowels  are  dry  and 
costive.  Place  your 
ear  to  the  horse's  side 
and  if  a  grating  or 
sucking  sound  is  heard, 


PNEUMONIA. 


it  is  a  sure  sign  of  pneumonia. 

The  shoes  should  be  pulled  off  and  the  horse  given 
plenty  of  room,  with  the  floor  covered  with  sawdust  or 
sand,  rather  than  straw.  If  by  test  you  find  that  the 
blood  flows  freely,  it  may  do  the  animal  some  good  to 


FRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  165 

allow  about  a  pint  to  flow  ;  but  if  the  blood  appears  black 
and  thick,  no  blood  should  be  drawn.  The  steam  bag, 
as  given  on  page  127,  is  an  excellent  remedy. 

We  feel  confident  that  a  horse  properly  cared  for 
and  fed  Pratts  Food,  Pratts  Animal  Regulator  or  Pratts 
Condition  Powder  regularly  will  be  in  excellent  con- 
dition and  not  liable  to  an  attack  of  this  disease.  We 
have  known  of  many  cases  cured  with  these  remedies 
only.  The  usual  dose  should  be  given  at  once,  the  horse 
blanketed  and  kept  warm,  and  the  throat,  chest  and  lungs 
rubbed  with  Pratts  Veterinary  Liniment.  As  the  horse 
recovers,  he'will  be  likely  to  lie  down.  A  nourishing 
diet  should  be  observed  and  Pratts  Remedies  continued. 

At  the  same  time,  as  per  our  note  on  page  119,  to 
give  another  remedy,  we  mention  the  following,  to  be 
given  in  one  dose  four  times  daily  :  Two  fluid  ounces  of 
sulphuric  ether  ;  twenty  drops  of  tincture  of  aconite. 
Then  rub  up  one  drachm  of  extract  of  belladonna  in  a 
half-pint  of  water,  and  mix  well. 


POISONING. 

Poison  often  occurs  from  the  use  of  improper  drugs, 
or  inexperienced  persons  prescribing  for  the  horse. 

The  horse  has  no   desire  to  eat,  but  is  very  thirsty. 


166  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

The  nostrils  are  red  and  discharge  a  kind  of  thick  saliva. 
There  will  be  belching  of  wind  and  a  colicky  appear- 
ance ;  heavy,  quick  breathing  and  a  rapid  pulse  ;  dys- 
entery, which  will  be  accompanied  with  large  quantities 
of  mucus.  The  horse  will  be  weak  and  have  convul- 
sions. 

The  best  known  remedy  is  :  One  pint  of  tincture  of 
cinchona  in  two  quarts  of  water;  repeat  at  the  expiration 
of  five  minutes. 

The  feeding  of  Pratts  Food,  Pratts  Animal  Regu- 
lator or  Pratts  Condition  Powder,  to  regulate  the  bowels, 
will  greatly  assist  in  the  speedy  recovery  of  the  animal, 
and  build  him  up  in  solid  and  lasting  condition. 


POI^Iy    EVIIv. 

Poll  evil  is  caused  by  some  injury :  the  rubbing  of  the 
bridle,  a  blow,  or  by  forcing  a  small  collar  roughly  on 
the  horse.  It  frequently  results  in  an  abscess  where  the 
injury  has  been  excessive. 

By  placing  the  finger  on  the  part,  and  pressing 
lightly  at  first,  if  the  horse  shrinks  immediately  as  the 
result  of  the  pain,  the  disease  has  not  reached  a  very 
severe  state  ;  if  it  requires  a  hard  and  lengthly  pressure 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  167 

before  the  horse  shows  signs  of  pain,  the  disease  is  more 
advanced  and  more  difficult  to  cure. 

Blister  by  applying  with  a  brush  tincture  of  can- 
tharides.  Repeat  the  blister  so  as  to  keep  the  parts  ir- 
ritated, as  soon  as  necessary.  The  services  of  a  skilled 
veterinarian  should  then  be  secured  to  open  the  part 
and  cut  away  the  diseased  matter.  The  wound  should 
then  be  rubbed  with  caustic  and  the  following  solution 
injected  three  times  a  day  :  One  drachm  of  tincture  of 
muriate  of  iron  ;  one  drachm  of  carbolic  acid  ;  mixed  in 
a  pint  of  water.  A  rag  should  be  dipped  in  a  solution 
of  tar  and  placed  over  the  wound  to  prevent  the  flies 
from  troubling  the  animal. 

Pratts  Food,  Pratts  Animal  Regulator  or  Pratts 
Condition  Powder  should  be  fed  regularly  three  times  a 
day,  to  keep  the  bloody  bowels  and  digestive  organs  in 
good  shape,  and  assist  in  a  quick  recovery  from  the  effects 
of  poll  evil. 


PRURIGO. 


Prurigo  is  different  from  mange,  as  the  skin  does  not 
have  that  patchy  character.  There  is  a  feverish  con- 
dition of  the  body,  and  it  often  affects  high-fed  korses, 


168  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

which  is  just  the  opposite  of  mange.  Generally  occurs 
in  the  spring,  and  horses  aflfected  are  generally  those 
who  have  had  very  little  exercise  during  the  winter. 

The  following  wash  should  be  applied  twice  a  day  : 
Four  fluid  ounces  of  glycerine  ;  one  drachm  of  carbolic 
acid  ;  mixed  in  one  pint  of  water. 

Pratts  Food,  Pratts  Animal  Regulator  and  Pratts 
Condition  Powder  are  the  very  best  remedies  to  be  fed 
during  a  condition  of  this  kind,  at  first  in  double  doses, 
and  then  gradually  decreasing  until  the  usual  dose  is 
fed  and  the  bowels  become  regular.  As  a  preventive, 
they  keep  horses  in  good  condition  that  are  too  highly 
fed,  by  keeping  the  bowels  and  blood  in  first-class  shape 
and  the  digestive  organs  from  becoming  disarranged. 

However,  as  per  our  note  on  page  119,  to  give  an- 
other remedy,  we  mention  :  One  and  a  half  fluid  ounces 
of  tincture  muriate  of  iron  ;  one  fluid  ounce  of  Fowler's 
solution  of  arsenic  ;  mixed  in  one  quart  of  water,  and 
half  a  pint  to  be  given  at  one  dose,  night  and  morning 
for  one  week. 

RINGWORM. 

Ringworm  can  be  noted  by  the  falling  off  of  the 
hair  in  patches,  leaving  a  scurfy  skin  which  scales  off, 
and  finally  leaving  a  thick,  scaly  margin  or  ring  around 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  169 

the  spot,  which  in  time  becomes  an  ulcer.  Pratts  Food, 
Pratts  Animal  Regulator  and  Pratts  Condition  Powder 
are  the  greatest  blood  purifiers  known,  and  where  fed 
constantly  with  the  regular  feed,  there  is  no  danger 
whatever  of  ringworm.  Where  the  disease  has  once 
started,  it  is  well  to  give  Pratts  Remedies  in  double 
doses  to  move  the  bowels  freely,  and  then  reduce  gradu- 
ally to  the  regular  quantity.  It  is  also  well  to  apply, 
twice  a  day,  two  drachms  of  iodide  of  lead,  mixed  with 
two  ounces  of  fresh  lard.  Should  there  be  ulceration, 
wash  five  or  six  times  a  day  with  a  mixture  of  two 
scruples  of  chloride  of  zinc  in  a  pint  of  water.  How- 
ever, as  per  our  note  on  page  119,  to  give  another  remedy, 
we  mention  the  same  remedy  which  we  have  given  for 
prurigo,  on  page  167,  to  be  given  at  one  dose  as  soon  as 
the  disease  is  discovered. 


ROARING. 

Roaring  may  be  caused  "by  a  tumor  in  distemper. 
If  it  is  chronic,  it  is  caused  by  a  change  in  the  upper 
part  of  the  windpipe,  brought  on  by  a  tight  check  rein 
used  when  the  horse  is  young.  This  [cannot  be  cured> 
but  may  be  prevented  by  padding  the  nose-piece  of  the 


170  PRATT S  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

bridle  and  not  allowing  too  much  air  into  tlie  lungs  at 
one  time.  While  this  is  being  done,  however,  the  ani- 
mal cannot  stand  hard  or  fast  driving.  To  detect  a 
roarer,  drive  right  fast  for  about  a  mile,  then  stop  and 
put  your  ear  to  the  windpipe  ;  if  he  is  only  a  slight 
roarer,  it  can  be  detected  at  once.  A  defect  of  this  kind 
is  very  wearying  on  a  horse,  consequently  he  should 
always  be  kept  in  a  first-class  condition.  This  can  be 
accomplished  by  a  nourishing  diet  at  all  times,  and  the 
constant  use  of  Pratts  Food,  Pratts  Animal  Regulator 
or  Pratts  Condition  Powder. 


RUPTURE. 

Rupture  frequently  happeus  to  colts,  in  which  case 
it  will  be  noticed  by  a  soft  enlargement  at  the  navel 
opening  when  the  colt  is  about  a  year  old.  He  should 
be  thrown  on  his  back,  and  the  contents  of  the  lump 
should  be  returned  through  the  opening,  and  then  the 
skin  should  be  tightly  clamped  and  allowed  to  gradually 
slough  off.  Rupture  frequently  happens  from  accidents, 
in  which  case  a  portion  of  the  intestines  hang  down  in 
the  testicles.  In  a  very  young  animal,  it  can  be  reduced 
by  laying  him  on  his  back,  raising  the  hind  parts,  and 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  171 

gently  manipulating  the  testicles  until  the  intestines 
pass  back  into  the  abdomen,  after  which  the  animal  can 
be  allowed  to  get  up  and  rest  quietly  in  a  box  stall  for 
several  days.  In  older  animals,  however,  in  addition, 
the  hand  must  be  introduced  into  the  rectum  and  the 
bowels  gently  pulled  back  into  place.  This  generally 
has  to  be  accompanied  by  a  surgical  operation.  The 
feeding  of  Pratts  Food,  Pratts  Animal  Regulator  or 
Pratts  Condition  Powder  is  beneficial  in  such  cases,  as 
they  keep  the  animal  in  a  healthy  condition  otherwise, 
thereby  strengthening  the  weakened  parts. 


SCRATCHES. 

This  disease  comes  from  carelessness  in  not  cleaning 
the  mud  and  dirt  from  the  horse's  legs.  This  should 
not  be  neglected,  as  it  becomes  a  very  filthy  and  un- 
pleasant disease.  The  parts  should  be  washed  thor- 
oughly with  white  castile  soap  and  warm  water,  and 
Pratts  Veterinary  Healing  Ointment  applied  twice  a 
day.  In  accordance  with  our  plan  to  give  another  rem- 
edy, we  mention  the  following  :  Keep  the  parts  con- 
stantly wet  by  applying  a  cloth  saturated  with  the  fol- 
lowing solution  :   Half  an  ounce  of  chloride  of  zinc  ; 


172  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

balf  a  pint  of  glycerine  ;  dissolved  in  six  quarts  of  water. 
As  soon  as  the  cloth  is  dry,  wet  it  again  and  apply,  and 
continue  this  until  there  is  no  more  inflammation  or 
heat.  Should  the  disease  have  advanced  suflSciently  to 
cause  ulcerations  and  breaks,  the  following  solution 
should  be  applied  in  the  same  way  :  Four  fluid  ounces 
of  creosote  ;  one  ounce  of  chloride  of  zinc  ;  one  gallon 
of  strong  solution  of  oak  bark.  If  proud  flesh  appears, 
it  will  have  to  be  removed  with  a  knife.  From  the  com- 
mencement there  is  nothing  better  to  give  the  horse  than 
Pratts  Food,  Pratts  Animal  Regulator  or  Pratts  Condi- 
tion Powder  along  with  his  regular  feed,  to  purify  and 
cleanse  the  blood,  and  put  the  horse  in  condition  to 
recover  quickly.  However,  as  per  our  note  on  page  119, 
to  give  another  remedy,  we  would  mention  the  same 
remedy  as  given  for  prurigo,  on  page  167,  to  be  admin- 
istered in  pint  doses  night  and  morning. 


SORB  THROAT. 


Sore  throat  is  frequently  a  forerunner  of  other  more 
serious  diseases.  It  will  be  noticed  by  want  of  appetite, 
difficulty  in  s  ^allowing  water,  which  will  be  accompa- 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  173 

nied  by  a  jerky  movement  and  a  grunting  noise.  The 
water  the  horse  drinks  will  sometimes  return  through 
the  nostrils.  The  horse  should  be  blanketed,  stable 
warm  and  well  ventilated,  and  soft  foods  given,  the 
throat,  chest  and  lungs  rubbed  with  Pratts  Veterinary 
Liniment  until  it  blisters  thoroughly.  There  may  be 
occasion  to  repeat  the  blistering. 

There  is  nothing  more  valuable  than  Pratts  Food, 
Pratts  Animal  Regulator  or  Pratts  Condition  Powder. 
A  double  dose  in  gruel  form  should  be  given  immedi- 
ately. Then  the  regular  quantity  mixed  with  each  feed, 
gradually  reducing  until  the  bowels  are  easy  and  natural. 

However,  as  per  our  note  on  page  119,  to  give  an- 
other remedy,  we  mention  the  following,  to  be  given  in 
one  dose  :  Half  a  fluid  ounce  of  essence  of  anise  ;  one 
drachm  of  pulverized  aloes  ;  mixed  in  a  pint  of  water. 
Should  there  be  no  improvement,  prepare  the  following : 
One  ounce  of  chlorate  of  potassa,  mixed  in  two  quarts  of 
water,  and  pour  about  half  a  pint  into  the  horse's  mouth, 
holding  up  his  head  for  half  a  minute,  and  then  permit 
the  head  to  drop  and  the  fluid  to  run  out.  Repeat  half 
a  dozen  times  a  day. 


174  TRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

SPASM  OF  THE  URETHA. 

In  this  disease  the  muscles  controlling  the  passage 
of  the  urine  from  the  bladder  contract.  It  is  generally 
due  to  bad  usage  or  exposure. 

It  is  noticed  by  a  straddling  gait,  the  horse  seldom 
urinating,  or  the  urine  being  very  scanty.  The  animal 
suffers  intensely.  By  pushing  the  hand  and  arm  up  the 
rectum,  and  pressing  downward,  you  can  feel  whether 
the  bladder  is  full  and  determine  the  disease  thereby. 

Pratts  Food,  Pratts  Animal  Regulator  or  Pratts 
Condition  Powder  operates  freely  upon  the  kidneys, 
liver  and  urinary  organs,  and,  given  in  large  doses,  has 
been  known  to  permanently  relieve  this  disease.  Also, 
as  a  preventive,  they  obviate  many  of  the  bad  effects  on 
a  horse  of  rough  and  ignorant  treatment.  When  this 
state  has  occurred,  however,  double  doses  should  be 
given  in  gruel  form,  and  then  reduce,  as  the  animal 
improves,  to  the  regular  quantity  and  mix  with  the  feed. 
An  injection  into  the  rectum  of  four  fluid  ounces  each 
of  sulphuric  ether  and  laudanum  mixed  in  three  pints  of 
water,  will  also  prove  helpful,  preventing  it  from  run- 
ning out  by  holding  the  hand  over  the  anus  for  about 
ten  minutes.  If  there  is  no  relief,  repeat  in  twenty 
minutes.  If  the  urine  does  not  flow  at  the  expiration  of 
another  twenty  minutes,  repeat  again  until  there  is  relief. 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  175 

However,  as  per  our  note  on  page  119,  to  give  an- 
other remedy,  we  mention  the  following,  to  be  given  in 
one  dose  :  Four  fluid  ounces  of  laudanum  ;  four  fluid 
ounces  of  sulphuric  ether  ;  mixed  in  a  quart  of  water. 

Very  frequently  the  horse  can  be  relieved  promptly 
by  opening  both  jugular  veins  and  allowing  the  blood  to 
flow  until  the  urine  comes,  or  the  animal  falls  into  a 
faint,  at  whicii  time  the  urine  will  flow  of  its  own  free 
will.  If  not,  insert  the  hand  into  the  rectum  and  press 
upon  the  bladder,  and  this  will  produce  the  desired 
result 


STAGGERS. 

Staggers  is  generally  caused  by  overfeeding.  In 
some  portions  of  the  South  it  frequently  occurs  from 
local  influences.  A  horse  breaking  loose  at  night  and 
gorging  himself  at  the  grain  bins  is  liable  to  this  disease. 

The  symptoms  are  as  follows  :  The  horse  hangs  his 
head  and  presses  it  against  the  wall  with  eyes  closed  ; 
his  pulse  throbs  ;  the  breath  is  hard,  and  sometimes  he 
snores.  The  skin  is  cold  ;  the  ears  and  tail  are  quiet ; 
the  nasal  membrane  is  a  leaden  color.  As  the  case  be- 
comes worse,  the  eye  brightens  ;  the  nasal  membrane 
reddens ;  the  skin  becomes  hot ;   the  movements  are 


176  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

quick  and  jerky  ;  breathing  short  and  sharp,  and  the 
horse  practically  mad. 

Where  Pratts  Food,  Pratts  Animal  Regulator  or 
Pratts  Condition  Powder  is  fed  constantly,  a  regular, 
healthy  condition  is  produced,  with  perfect  digestion. 
Consequently,  a  horse  given  these  remedies,  and  prop- 
erly looked  after,  is  not  subject  to  an  attack  of  staggers. 
If  Pratts  Remedies  do  not  move  the  bowels,  administer 
one  quart  of  castor  oil. 

However,  in  accordance  with  our  note  on  page  119, 
we  mention  another  remedy  :  A  quart  of  any  kind  of  oil 
should  be  given  at  once,  excepting  kerosene.  If  no  oil 
is  at  hand,  fresh  melted  grease  will  answer  ;  but  no  salted 
grease.  If  the  disease  has  advanced  considerably  before 
discovery,  a  quart  of  castor  oil  containing  ten  drops  of 
croton  oil  should  be  given  at  once.  Repeat  if  this  does 
not  move  the  bowels  inside  of  five  or  six  hours,  giving 
twenty  drops  of  croton  oil  instead  of  ten.  If  still  no 
effect,  repeat  in  five  or  six  hours  with  thirty  drops  of 
croton  oil  instead  of  twenty. 

As  the  animal  recovers,  Pratts  Remedies  as  a  tonic 
should  be  given,  and  the  bowels  watched  carefully,  as 
it  takes  some  time  for  the  animal  to  recover  its  full 
health. 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  177 

SUNSTROKE. 

Sunstroke  generally  occurs  in  cities,  where  the  heat 
is  greater  and  the  air  closer  than  in  suburban  districts. 

It  will  be  noticed,  as  a  rule,  by  the  horse  suddenly 
stopping  and  hanging  his  head  ;  he  w:ill  throw  his  legs 
out  sideways,  as  if  he  feared  falling.  Frequently  the  ani- 
mal will  fall  and  die  without  a  struggle.  Again,  it  will 
only  be  accompanied  by  exhaustion.  The  horse  generally 
perspires  very  freely.  If  there  is  no  perspiration,  the  skin 
is  just  the  opposite,  a  dry,  burning  effect,  almost  so  hot 
that  the  hand  can  hardly  rest  on  it  with  comfort.  When 
allowed  to  rest,  he  will  keep  his  nose  very  near  the 
ground.     His  veins  are  swollen  and  the  nostrils  dilated. 

Bathe  his  head  and  neck  in  cold  water,  broken  ict 
tied  between  the  ears,  and  inject  into  the  rectum  soap 
and  warm  water.  Rub  the  legs  well,  and  if  he  becomes 
insensible,  or  appears  to  be  getting  so,  apply  mustard  to 
his  sides  and  legs.  If  the  pulse  gets  too  low,  give  half  a 
pint  of  whisky  every  thirty  minutes  for  a  couple  of 
hours. 

There  is  nothing  that  will  ward  off  sunstroke  so 
well  as  Pratts  Food,  Pratts  Animal  Regulator  or  Pratts 
Condition  Powder,  if  fed  reglarly.  The  horse  will  be 
kept  in  perfect  condition,  his  digestion  good,  his  bowels 


178  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

regular  and  his  blood  pure,  and,  consequently,  he  will 
not  be  susceptible  to  sunstroke. 

Simply  giving  them  regularly,  according  to  direc- 
tions, would  save  thousands  of  horses  yearly  from  sun- 
stroke in  the  large  cities. 

However,  according  to  our  note  on  page  119,  we 
mention  another  remedy  :  One  drachm  of  pulverized 
opium  ;  one  drachm  of  pulverized  carbonate  of  ammo- 
nia ;  two  drachms  of  charcoal ;  eight  ounces  of  ale  ; 
mixed  well,  and  given  as  a  drench. 


BWEI;LING  OF  THE  SHEATH. 

This  often  arises  from  a  run-down  condition  of  the 
animal.  Sometimes  it  is  caused  by  the  wound  being 
closed  too  soon  after  castration,  and  in  that  case  it  should 
be  opened  and  fresh  lard  nibbed  on  and  bathed  freely 
every  three-quarters  of  an  hour  or  so  with  warm  water. 

If  the  penis  cannot  be  drawn  backward  and  forward 
freely,  or  should  the  opening  be  too  small,  it  may  be 
necessary  to  slightly  cut  the  sheath  to  allow  free  action, 
and  then  bathe  freely  with  cold  water  from  time  to 
time.  If  it  occurs  from  a  run-down  condition,  Pratts 
Food,    Pratts  Animal    Regulator  or   Pratts   Condition 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  179 

Powder,  by  being  fed  in  regular  doses,  will  rapidly  and 
permanently  put  the  horse  in  first-class  condition  by 
regulating  the  blood,  bowels  and  digestive  organs. 


WARTY  GROWTHS 

or  tumorous  growths  on  the  sheath  can  be  clipped  off 
with  scissors,  and  dipped  with  caustic  to  prevent  bleed- 
ing. The  same  thing  should  be  done  with  hardening 
growths  on  the  end  of  the  penis. 


WORMS. 

A  horse  is  frequently  attacked  by  worms  when  he 
is  in  apparently  good  condition.  They  can  be  readily  de- 
tected by  the  following  symptoms  :  Rubbing  of  tail 
against  the  stall,  lifting  of  upper  lip,  rubbing  nose 
against  the  manger  or  wall  and  constantly  switching 
tail.  A  yellow  mucus  will  be  noticed  around  the  anus, 
the  appetite  at  times  is  ravenous,  again  very  poor  ;  the 
horse  becomes  thin  and  emaciated.  The  bowels  are  fre- 
quently too  loose  or  the  horse  is  greatly  constipated. 
His  coat  becomes  dry  and  the  hair  turns  the  wrong  way. 


180  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

Often  there  is  mucus  passing  through  the  bowels  and 
noticed  in  the  manure.  Frequently  the  symptoms  are 
accompanied  by  a  hacking  cough  :  in  some  cases  the 
horse  becomes  pot-bellied  and  breath  oflfensive. 


THE  DIFFERENT  KINDS  OF  WORMS. 

They  are  known  as  follows  :  The  round  rectal  worm  » 
the  long  thread  worm,  found  in  the  rectum  ;  the  round, 
large,  thick  worm,  found  in  the  kidneys  and  bladden 
which  is  about  an  inch  to  an  inch  and  one-half  thick, 
and  from  ten  inches  to  three  feet  or  more  in  length  ;  the 
tape  worm,  in  the  intestines  ;  the  pin  worm,  about  one 
inch  long,  pointed  both  ends  ;  the  round  worm,  averag- 
ing from  four  inches  to  three  feet  long  ;  the  long,  round 
worm,  from  seven  to  nine  inches  long  and  about  as  thick 
as  a  pencil,  that  infest  the  small  intestines,  frequently 
in  great  quantities. 

Bots  feed  on  the  liquid  nutriment  from  the  feed, 
multiplying  in  such  quantities  as  to  retard  digestion. 
They  also  hang  to  the-  lining  of  the  stomach  in  large 
bunches.  They  remain  with  the  horse  during  the  au- 
tumn, winter  and  spring  months,  or  until  fully  grown. 
Frequently  they  become  bunched  at  either  end  of  the 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  H0R3^  181 

stomach,  causing  an  obstruction,  which,  if  not  properly 
treated,  eventually  kills  the  animal. 

If  a  horse  has  worms,  Pratts  Specially  Prepared 
Worm  Powder  will  positively  rid  him  of  them  and 
quickly  build  him  up  healthy  and  robust.  If  he  does 
not  pass  worms,  you  can  rest  assured  there  are  no  worms 
there,  and  the  horse  should  have  other  treatment,  a  tonic 
like  Pratts  Food,  Pratts  Animal  Regulator  or  Pratts 
Condition  Powder,  the  greatest  of  animal  regulators. 

Give  one  dose  of  the  Powder  with  the  feed  twice  a 
day  for  four  days.  Cut  down  feed  one-half,  mix  bran 
with  feed  and  dampen  it.  After  fourth  day  give  large, 
soft,  well-scalded  bran  mash  to  loosen  bowels  freely. 
Repeat  the  bran  mashes  if  necessary^  as  the  bowels  must 
be  7noved  freely ^  Should  the  horse  refuse  to  eat  the 
bran  mash,  it  will  be  necessary  to  give  him  a  dose  of 
Glauber  Salts,  or  some  other  purge,  to  loosen  the  bowels. 

Sometimes  pin  worms  remain  just  inside  the  rectum 
and  are  very  hard  and  stubborn  to  cure. 

In  cases  of  this  kind,  if  the  desired  result  is  not  ob- 
tained by  feeding  Pratts  Worm  Powder,  dissolve  one  of 
the  powders  in  a  quart  of  water  and  inject  into  the  rectum. 

Repeat  this  once  a  day  in  the  evening  and  continue 
for  4  or  5  days. 

Do  not  fail  in  this  case,  as  in  all  other  cases  of 


182  PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE 

worms,  to  feed  bran  mashes,  until  the  bowels  are  freely 
moved,  and  should  the  horse  refuse  the  bran  mash  or 
should  it  fail  to  move  the  bowels,  give  the  horse  a  dose 
of  Glauber  Salts. 


RHEUMATISM. 

This  is  caused  by  an  irregular  condition  of  the 
blood,  and  is  accompanied  by  stiffness,  lameness  and 
fever.  The  pain  usually  will  be  found  to  leave  one  joint 
and  appear  in  the  corresponding  one  on  the  opposite 
side.  The  disease  can  generally  be  detected  by  sudden 
lameness  and  in  some  cases  by  inflammation.  A  swell- 
ing may  appear  in  the  loins,  chest  or  in  the  fetlock, 
stifle  or  hock  joints.  The  pulse  is  hard  and  the  mouth 
warm  and  devoid  of  moisture.  If  possible,  the  horse 
should  be  put  in  a  sling  in  a  box  stall,  and  raised  enough 
to  take  weight  off  the  limbs.  Bathe  freely  with  Pratts 
Veterinary  Liniment  once  a  day  without  rubbing.  Give 
internally  Pratts  Food,  Pratts  Animal  Regulator  or 
Pratts  Condition  Powder  three  times  daily  to  purify  the 
blood.  Give  a  bran  mash  twice  a  week  and  green  food 
once  a  day.  These  simple  remedies  will  quickly  cure  even 
the  most  stubborn  case  of  rheumatism.  However,  as  per 
our  note  on  page  119,  we  mention  another  remedy. 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE  183 

Apply  the  following  liniment  on  the  aflfected  parts  : 
Compound  soap  liniment,  sixteen  fluid  ounces  ;  liquor 
ammonia,  two  fluid  ounces  ;  tincture  of  cantharides,  two 
fluid  ounces  ;  tincture  of  opium,  two  fluid  ounces.     Mix. 

Bandage  the  legs  clear  up  to  body,  and  give  inter- 
nally the  following  ball  : — 

Powdered  colchicum,  two  drachms  ;  iodide  of  potas- 
sium, one  drachm.  Mix  into  pill  mass  with  molasses. 
Apply  liniment,  and  give  pill  every  morning  until  horse 
is  better. 

Two  drachms  of  salycilate  of  soda  given  twice  a  day, 
mixed  with  the  feed,  will  also  be  found  of  advantage. 

TSEi  KND. 


INDEX. 


PRATTS  POINTERS  ON  THE  HORSE. 


Aphtha     121 

Arabian     Horse 107 

Balky     Horses,     Breaking 69 

Bart,     The no 

Belgian    Horse 112 

Big    Head 122 

Bloody     Urine 123 

Breaking   and   Training   Colts.  .  58 

Breaking  to   Halter   and   Bit...  59 

Breast    Collar 27 

Breeching     26 

Breeding    44 

Breeding     Ages 4^ 

Breeding    of    Horses 107 

Breeds,    Selection    of 45 

Breeding     Stock,     Inferior 96 

Breeding  the   Trotter 97 

Bridle,     The 26 

Bronchitis     145 

Brood    Mare 45 

Brood    Stallion 47 

Button    Farcy 125 

Canadian     Horse 112 

Canker  and  its  Treatment 79 

Capped     Elbow 92 

Capped    Hock 93 

Carriage     House 28 

Castration     Faulty 138 

Chewing    the    Bridle,     How    to 

Prevent     103 

Choking      126 

Cleaning  the  Feet 73 

Cleveland     Bay 109 

Clipping    and    Singeing 104 

Clothing      105 

Clydesdale  Horse in 

Colds     127 

Colic,    Acute 128 


Colic,     Wind 129 

Color    of    Horses 10 

Colt,    Exercising    the 55 

Colt,    Feeding   and   Weaning...  55 

Colt's    Feet 63,  73 

Colt,   How  to   Keep  Healthy...  57 

"     Stabling  the    54 

"     The    54 

Contracted    Feet    83 

Cooked  Food 3* 

Corn  Chambers 21 

Corns,    How   to    Prevent 79 

Cough,   Chronic    129 

Cribbing    130 

"         How  to   Cure 103 

Crupper    26 

Diseases  of  Horses 119 

Distemper    130 

Doors    and    Windows,    Arrange- 
ment of   17 

Drainage    16 

Dropsy    132 

Dysentery,  Acute 1 34 

in  Colts    135 

Ears,   Good  and   Bad 9 

Epilepsy     134 

Epizootic    151 

Eyes,   Good  and  Bad 9 

False    Quarter    82 

Feeding    and    Watering 28 

Best  Time  for 33 

Fever    138 

Fistulous    Withers     141 

Flooring    for    Stable 18 

Foaling    51 

Foods,    Different    Kinds    of. ...  29 

"       Vegetable     33 

French   Coach  Horse 114 


INDEX 


Frog,  The  71 

Glanders     142 

Green  Food 30 

Grooming    103 

Grubs    in    the    Skin 143 

Hackney,    The    108 

Harness,    Care   of 23 

Galls     88 

Harnessing    25 

Harness    Room     23 

Harness    Soap    23 

Haunch,     Common     and     Thor- 
oughbreds      10 

Hay  Cutters    32 

"     How  to  Buy  and  Feed...  31 

"       Mows      21 

'"     Racks     20 

Healthy    Mares    and     Stallions, 

Pratts    Food    for S3 

Heaves    i44 

Hide-bound    i43 

Hoofs,   Good  and  Bad 10 

Horn  Tumors   85 

Hot  Water  for  Inflamed  Feet..  75 

Horse's  Foot,   Parts  of 70 

Hunter,    The    113 

Impotency    5° 

In-and-in-Breeding     5° 

Indian  Pony   114 

Inflammation    of   Air    Passages.  145 

"    Eyes    147 

"  "    Kidneys     148 

"              "    Stomach    147 

"             "    Taeticles    150 

Influenza    151 

Jaw,  Appearance  of 98 

"      Injuries    to     I53 

Kicking   in   the    Stall 66 

"          While     Shoeing 67 

Knee-sprung,    How   to   Treat...  93 

Knuckling  and   its   Treatment..  95 

Lameness      89 

"            in    the   Joints 89 

"            "  Knee     Joints 91 

"            "  Shoulder     90 

I^aminitis   84 


Lampas 153 

Leg,  a  Good 10 

Leucorrhoea    154 

Lice     155 

Lock-jaw    155 

Loins   of  a  Good   Horse 8 

Mad    Staggers    170 

Mallenders    and    Sallenders.  .  . .  157 

Mane,    a   Good 11 

"       and  Tail,  Care  of loi 

Mangers     20 

Mange    or    Stable    Itch 157 

Manure,  How  to  Treat  and  Use  43 

"          Pump    43 

Shed    40 

"         Value    of Z7 

Mare  and  Colt,  Care  of 52 

"      ia    Foal 49-Si 

Medicine,    How   to    Give 106 

Meningitis,    Spinal    161 

Milk,    How  to   Produce 53 

Morgan  Horse    109 

Mouth,    Injuries    to 153 

"         Tender   loi 

Mule,  The   116 

Care    of    n8 

Mules,   Breaking  and   Training.  117 

"        For    Army    Use 118 

"       How  to  Breed 116 

Nailing  Shoe 77 

Norman     iii 

Nose    Bag    126 

Origin   of    Horses 6 

Overdriving     159 

Pacer,   The    115 

Paces   of  Horses 11 

Paddock    42 

Paralysis    of    the    Eye 162 

"          Partial     160 

Parts   of  the   Horse 7 

Pasterns,    Good    and    Bad 9 

Pawing  in  the   Stall 102 

Fercheron     113 

Pleurisy    163 

Pneumonia     164 

Poisoning  , 165 


iii 


INDEX 


Poll    Evil i66 

Pratts    Remedies    34 

**  "  Composition    of  120 

"  "         How    to    Feed.    120 

"  "  Value     of,     for 

Horses    119 

Prurigo     167 

Pulling    on    Halter 67 

Pumice  Feot,   How  to  Treat...      81 

Quittor    83 

Ringworm    1 68 

Rheumatism    182 

Roaring    169 

Runner,  The   115 

Running  Away  Habit 68 

Rupture    1 70 

Saddle    26 

Salt   35 

Sand  Crack   85 

Scours     134 

Scratches    171 

Seedy  Toe  81 

Sheath,    Swelling    of 178 

Shetland  Pony   114 

Shire,   The    iii 

Shoe   Boil    92 

Shoeing   and    Care   of    Feet....      70 

Shoeing    the    Colt 75 

"      Horse    75 

Shying    63 

Sore  Throat    172 

Spinal  Meningitis    161 

Sprains   in   Tendons 9> 

Stable  Hints    38 

"       Necessities    22 

"       Yard,  illustrated  and  de- 
scribed          39 

••       Exterior   Plans   of 14 

"       How  to  Build   13 

"       Interior,   Plans  of 15 

•*      Proper  Location  of 12 


stable,  Size    of    ...... t ..4.. ..     13 

Staggers   175 

Stalls,  How  to  Make  Comforta- 
ble        105 

Stalls,  illustrated  and  described     19 

Sunstroke     177 

Sutures     86 

Swelled   Leg,    How   Treat 94 

Tail    of   Well-bred    Horse 8 

Tank  for   Water   Supply 41 

Teeth    97 

Bad    121 

"        How  to  Tell  Age  by.. 99-100 
Thoroughbreds,    American    ....    115 

English     no 

Thrush,    and   its   Treatment 78 

Traces     26 

Training  to   Wagon 62 

Tread  and  Overreach 83 

Trotter,    The     -. 115 

Trough    for    Stable    Yard 42 

Uretha,   Spasm  of  the 174 

Urinating,   Excess  in 135 

Ventilation     21 

Vicious   Horses,    How  to   Break     64 

Wall   of   Foot 72 

Warty   Growths    179 

Water    Supply    22 

Tank,    for    Stalls 36 

"        When  and  How  to....      35 

Wash  Floor 40 

Wild    Horses    6 

Womb,    Inflammation   of 154 

Worms    179-180 

W^ounds,  Abraded   88 

"         and   Lameness    85 

Contused    88 

"  Incised    87 

"  Lacerated     86 

"         Punctured     88 

Yorkshire  Bay   ......«.«.....*   109 


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What  Pratts  Animal  Regulator 
will  do  for  Horses 

It  regulates  the  bowels,  blood,  liver, 
and  digestive  organs;  builds  up  run- 
down horses,  restores  lost  appetite.  It 
makes  the  coat  glossy  and  shed  nicely. 
It  improves  the  wind  and  gives  better 
staying  powers. 

For  Mares  It  causes  the  foal  to 
be  strong  and  robust,  and  produces  a 
free  flow^  of  milk  of  good  quality. 
Colts  will  grow  quickly  and  free  from 
scours  and  disease  if  Pratts  Animal 
Regulator  is  used. 

For  Stallions  —  Pratts  Animal 
Regulator  is  of  great  value.  Their 
service  will  be  surer  and  their  health 
the  best. 

Pratts  Animal  Regulator  cures 
by  regulating  and  renovating  the  sys- 
tem. It  is  composed  of  roots,  herbs, 
and  barks,  and  is  free  from  all  poisons 
and  chemicals.  It  is  the  original  Stock 
Regulator  of  America,  and  for  over  39 
years  has  been  used  by  successful 
horse  owners  throughout    the  world. 

PRATT   FOOD  CO.,  Philadelphia,  Penna. 

Toronto,  Canada 


ANIMAL    REGULATe^R 

GUARANTEED  OR  MONEY  B At K 


